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Why do we tap the table with the glass after the toast and before drinking?

Photo by Ambitious Studio | Rick Barrett on Unsplash

The custom of lightly tapping the glass on the table, after toasting and before drinking, is now widespread especially with shots and alcoholic drinks. Although it is not expected or recommended by etiquette, we are sure that you have witnessed this ritual: each person with their own glass, a toast and then tapping, without too much force, the glass on the table or on the bar counter and, finally, drinking. We are sure that you have wondered why it is done.

Now we will explain it to you.

You should know that this custom has roots in the past and is linked to wine. It was with glasses of wine that it began to be practiced. But why? What is the meaning of tapping the table with the wine glass before drinking?

There are at least four possible explanations, although one is considered the most reliable. Let's analyze them.

1. Sign of respect

We tap the table with the glass before drinking because it is a sign of respect.

This is the most plausible hypothesis. To explain its origin we must go back in time, to one of the typical Italian taverns of the 17th century. These were very popular places, where people could enjoy a break from work by drinking wine.

It is said that, before drinking, tapping the table with the glass was a sign of thanks to the innkeeper and to all those who had contributed to the production of the wine, from those who had grown the vine to those who had served the glass. It was a gesture much appreciated by the innkeepers, who were recognized for their work.

Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash

2. Drive away evil spirits

We tap the table with the glass before drinking because it helps drive away evil presences and spirits.

This is one of the explanations, less reliable than the first, that are used to trace the origin and meaning of this ritual. Tapping the glass on the table, generating a slight noise, would allow to scare and, therefore, to drive away spirits, presences and negative influences.

This is a belief of Irish origin, which is part of the tradition of the local populations.

3. Toasting with those who are not physically present

We tap the table with the glass before drinking because we want to toast with those who are not physically present in that place.

According to other interpretations, this ritual, in the past, was performed when people toasted with loved ones who, at that moment, were not physically present. Unable to make the toast, the glass was tapped on the table to simulate the gesture of toasting.

4. Remembering someone who has passed away

We tap the table with the glass before drinking because because we want to remember someone who has passed away.

The gesture of tapping the table with the glass derives from the ancient custom of libation, a practice with which wine was poured on the ground as an offering to the gods or to remember people who had died..

As reported by VinePair, tapping the table with the glass represented a sort of modern evolution of libation. For other experts it is still a desire to simulate a toast with people who are not physically present.

These are the possible origins and original meanings of the act of banging the glass on the table after the toast and before drinking. Let's say that, over time, most of these meanings have been completely lost. Today, this ritual has taken on a superstitious value to propitiate good luck.