Banquette Toast and Toasting Etiquette Toasting is an indispensable component of the banquet. Mostly, toasts are typically short and may consist of a simple welcome, a brief statement filled with platitudes, or a substantive comment on the visit. During the banquet, hosts may also walk around and make a toast to a special guest or from one guest to another as well. Toasting Etiquette Let’s see some do’s and some don’ts when doing toasting in a banquet. 1. The first toast should be made by the host. When you make a toast you should toast more than one person. 2. If you’re the one being toasted, you should always stand up and respond to the toast, listen quietly and then say a quick “Thank you”. 3. Never refuse to participate in a toast, even if you’re not drinking alcohol. It is more polite and perfectly acceptable to toast with a clear carbonated drink like 7-Up or Sprite. It is also acceptable to pass on drinking alcohol entirely by saying that you have an allergy or simply state that you do not drink, even if the others are toasting you with alcohol. 4. Do not tap the rim of your glass to gain everybody’s attention. Get the group's attention by standing up first, and followed by saying: “Your attention, please,” or “I'd like to make a toast.” Give them time to focus on you. 5. When toasting, people rarely hold their glass at shoulder length, it is considered respectful to hold your glass lower than other’s glasses. 6. Do not offer a toast after drinking too much, you're likely to look foolish. How to make a toast? Toasting with style is an art form. When making a toast, you should pay attention to the following points: 1. A toast is a small speech. It should have opening, a body and a conclusion. Keep it brief and to the subject. Make sure the toast is appropriate for the occasion. 2. Make sure everyone has a drink and that glasses are filled before you begin your toast. If a large group is assembled, ask friends to spread the word to let people know there will be a toast soon. If there's a wait staff, let them know so they can offer refills or set out drinks or alcohol. Everyone should have a glass to participate in the toast, drinks don’t necessarily have to be alcoholic. 3. Face the person, if you are honoring someone in particular. Look directly at them and begin speaking. Don’t forget to look around the room as you speak. As you complete your remarks, look the honoree in the eye, raise your glass and say "To Sarah," and take a sip. The rest of the group should follow along. 4. The most proper way to toast is by simply raising your glass. Many people enjoy the old custom of clinking glasses together with each other. It is fine to do so. If you clink glasses, be sure to do so gently. Delicate glassware is easily broken by overzealous clinking. An example of a toast: necessary Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, We want to thank all of you here tonight for taking time out of your busy schedule during the busiest time of the year to come to our year-end party. Tonight we are very fortune to have our friends from the Johnson Company here with us to celebrate the year-end festivities together. We sincerely hope you will have a good time tasting the Chinese cuisine, drinking Chinese wine, and above all, enjoying the Chinese “authentic” entertainment, which our young talented employees are going to perform. Now, let’s propose a toast to this happy occasion. Here’s to Johnson’s and another successful new year! Decide whether the following statements are true or false.