At “Le Clarence” in Paris, one of our favorite restaurants, I had just enough wine left in my glass to toast my darling Stuart for a splendid Thanksgiving dinner.
CHEERS and GOOD HEALTH and a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!
Perhaps you “clinked” your glass of champagne with others at a New Year’s Eve party to welcome in 2023, yes? What a joyous, celebratory sound when two crystal glasses “clink” together for a glorious occasion!
The tradition of touching or clinking glasses began eons ago. Why? There was a time when people were afraid that there may be poison in their glass. So, by clinking the other person’s glass, there was a chance that a portion of your liquid would spill into the other person’s glass. Clinking glasses was also a custom thought to ward away any evil spirits. Well, I am elated that our present-day glass “clinking” represents happiness and good wishes!
A question recently posed to me was: Does one “clink” at a seated dinner party? My recommendation is to always take the lead from the host/hostess of the table.
We all relished the eloquent toast made by our dear host at a festive holiday dinner party he and his wife treated us to a few days before Christmas. Some raised their glasses, while others clinked… such fun!
In some social circles, clinking is not practiced or condoned. At the beginning of the 20th century, clinking glasses began to be interpreted as a working-class tradition, and thus, was abandoned by those with more refined manners. When a toast is made in regal company, glasses are raised for a toast, but are never clinked. Seldom have I witnessed clinking at formal dinners in Europe, yet it happens here quite often in America. So my advice is to observe what your host does with their glass when they offer the first toast.
Do we clink glasses at Fox Hall? Yes, we do. For me, it is a sign of touching the ones I love in the spirit of celebration.
Forbidden Faux Pas:
No-no: To drink to yourself when a toast is made to you.
What is done: If a toast is made in your honor, do not take a drink until everyone else has, otherwise it would appear that you are applauding yourself.
No-no: To not clink if someone extends their glass to you, making an effort to clink your glass.
What is done: Clink their glass to avoid making the other person feel awkward. Manners are about being polite to others.
No-no: To not raise your glass when a toast is being made.
What is done: Always raise your glass for a toast, whether it is full or empty. I try to keep a little portion of libation in my glass at all times if I am at a large function and anticipate that a toast may be made. Wedding receptions are a prime example!
Grandmillennial Tips:
Ladies, try to keep your lipstick mark on your glass in one place to avoid a ring of lipstick marks around the rim of the glass.
Hold a stemmed glass by the stem to keep the wine or champagne from being warmed by your hand.
Coasters, which are used to protect a wood surface from the condensation of a chilled, non-stemmed glass, are not needed for a stemmed glass. Stemmed glasses may be placed directly on the table, whether it be a dining room table or any other table in your house.
Happy New Year! Learn how to properly open a bottle of champagne here, from a previous newsletter. Cheers! Note: coasters or cocktail napkins are NOT needed (as pictured here) under stemmed glasses!
Thank you for your thoughtful questions and for inspiring others to subscribe to my newsletter. Do let me know of potential sponsors, those who can relate to my fabulously gracious, and very international audience. It is always a delight to welcome new sponsors and to witness the results they receive from my subscribers.
May 2023 bring joy, good health, and peace to you and your loved ones! And, do tell… what is your “clinking” tradition?
Xx
Holly
P.S. Please be a dear and forward this letter on to someone you think may enjoy it too!