Your attention please

Abha Chaudhary 

Celebrations bring happiness and jubilation into our lives. And memories become even more pleasant and indelible when they are marked with love, respect and genuine show of consideration. September is the harbinger of festivities and togetherness with friends and family. So, let us brush up on our celebration etiquette. With wining become an “en vogue” catalyst of the celebratory mood, toasting is recognised as a social art. Toasts can range from the most routine—“To us” while clinking glasses to a more heart touching “I wish you a successful career and journey in New York, and don’t forget you will be missed every single day”.....

Host toasts first

In any form of formal or informal toasting, it is the prerogative of the host or the hostess to first give the toast to love, friendship, health, wealth and happiness. If the host doesn’t offer a toast, one of the guests may propose a toast saluting the hosts. But the “host toasts first” rule still applies. 

Rule for honouree

Typically toasts are proposed as soon as the wine, Champagne or other beverage is served usually at the beginning of the meal or just before dessert. The person proposing the toast stands or raises a glass and asks for everyone’s attention before launching the toast. Do not clink the glass with a spoon to call for attention. When there’s a noisy crowd it’s more courteous to repeat, “May I have your attention” as often as necessary. The one to whom a toast is raised is called the honouree or the toastee. At the conclusion of the toast, everyone except the honouree raises their glasses and drinks. The honouree doesn’t rise or drink the toast, but she should acknowledge the gesture with a smile or nod. After the toast is finished, the honouree drinks to her toasters in return with a “thank you” or her own toast. She may rise or not. 

Straight from the heart 

One doesn’t need to drain their glasses during a toast –a sip will do just fine. You may stand and raise your glass at a formal occasion or when asked by the toaster, otherwise you may stay seated .You don’t need an alcoholic beverage to propose or drink to a toast. Any liquid will do, but it’s more fun if the drink is something bubbly. Think Champagne, sparkling wine, sparkling water, fruit juice spritzers or ginger ale. If you are going to deliver a toast and it’s more than the simplest toast then it would be a good idea to prepare it and rehearse it so that you don’t fumble the words and run the risk of making it less captivating. However, keep it short, positive and to the point –you want the spotlight to be on the toastee, not you. While a touch of humour is rarely out of place, keep it clean. Stories that might embarrass the honouree are off-limits. If your toast has been designated as the principal one of the event, think of it as a small speech, you may peep into your notes, but you still want to seem fairly spontaneous. If the mood is right, it’s lovely to give an informal toast to good friends around the table. The best toasts are short and come from the heart. Should you draw a blank when you are suddenly asked to offer a toast at the spur of the moment, just remind yourself that a few sincere and complimentary words are all you need, like “To Mr. and Mrs, there’s no better place to be than in your company”. Another trick is to tie the toast to the occasion. In a pinch, try toasts along the lines of “To Rosy –a terrific hostess and a fabulous cook” or “May each birthday find you among good friends” or “A great boss and will be an even better VP, Congratulations.” 

(Chaudhary is a Chandigarh-based image and style consultant).