Toasts and Toasting: Tips you can use Today

Offer a great toast to honor any occasion.

There are few traditions as sacred as that of the toast. What may have started as a libation offering to the gods became a tradition for honoring guests. Once upon a time, a host drank from the communal vessel to prove goodwill (and the absence of poison) before offering drink to a guest. Now we use the toast to formalize relationships and offer praise at the most elaborate of functions, but never underestimate or forget the power of the informal toast to convey that same honor and goodwill among friends and family gathered with much less formality.

Here are a few modern etiquette tips to help you toast like a pro:

How to Give a Modern Toast:

1. Set the Stage: The contemporary toast may be offered by anyone for any purpose. A toast is a simple and gracious means of calling attention to shared gifts; whether it is thanking the cook for the meal, family members for attending, team members for hard work, or volunteers for effort. The venue can be a business lunch or a family gathering, but the elements of a simple informal toast remain the same and can be used to great effect.
2. Fill Your Glass: While you might associate a toast with champagne, don’t be afraid to make each toast your own; fill your glasses with something as meaningful as what you plan to say. You can toast with with whatever you prefer to drink. It is the message you deliver, not the beverage you consume, that gives the toast true meaning.
3. Get People's Attention: Stand, raise a glass or hold a meaningful silence long enough to be noticed. Resist the urge to bang on glassware with silver or clear your throat repeatedly. Don't forget the power of your words, they are magic. "Excuse me, could I have your attention for just a moment? I'd like to propose a toast..."
1. Arrive at work early enough that you can get your blog time and coffee and still be in your chair when the day starts.
2. Try to anticipate certain tasks before they are asked of you, like finding a report you know your boss will ask for, before she does so.
3. Adhere to your office dress code. Take pride in your appearance, it matters. Make sure clothes are clean and ironed, that your hair is brushed and the your person hygiene doesn't leave anything to be desired.
4. Don't spend your time making personal calls or surfing the web. It's not what you are paid to do.
5. Be punctual throughout the day for breaks, deadlines, your lunch hour, as well as for leaving for the day.
6. Never gossip about co-workers. Not even for out for coffee on the weekend. Hold yourself accountable, if you wouldn't say it in front of them don't talk about your co-workers.
7. Don't flirt with co-workers or business colleagues (like clients). Others will notice that you are focusing on your personal life rather than the job at hand, and it won't reflect positively on you.
8. Watch your language. This doesn't just mean swearing, but also how you choose to phrase or present situations, and the tone of voice you choose to use.
9. Pick your battles. While disagreements may arise and be solved by level heads, being stubborn or argumentative will get you nowhere fast.
10. Remember to rely on consideration, respect and honesty whenever you find yourself wondering what is the best course of action in a difficult situation.
The costs of incivility are real. Christine Porath and Christine Pearson outline some of the effects in The Price of Incivility at the Harvard Business review. Remember workplace etiquette: everyday is an interview for the next promotion, raise, client or opportunity you would like to earn.