In this article, we explain the reasons behind this rule. Read on to learn why you should make eye contact with your guests during a toast.

Why should you look each other in the eyes during a toast?

Establishing eye contact is one of the most common indications provided by Etiquette in various fields and sectors. It is one of those gestures that define a person's good manners in social relationships. One of those gestures that often support other actions. For example, when we shake hands with another person, it is good practice to make eye contact. In this case, looking each other in the eyes is a sign of consideration and respect.

When we make a toast, looking each other in the eyes has a similar meaning. It means being polite and kind.

You should know that eye contact has always been a fundamental part of toasting, even in the past.

➡️ LOOKING EACH OTHER IN THE EYES DURING A TOAST WAS AN INDICATION OF LOYALTY AND HONESTY AMONG THE DINERS.

If looking each other in the eyes during the toast is an indication of good manners, in the past it meant being correct towards other people participating in the ritual.

It is really interesting to understand where this meaning comes from and, above all, it is very curious to understand why, during the toast, it is considered a gesture of extreme rectitude and great morality.

We have to go back in time to understand why it is important to look each other in the eyes during a toast. At the time of Ancient Rome and during the Middle Ages, poisoning a political opponent was a widespread murderous practice. Wine, drunk during banquets, was one of the drinks to which lethal poisonous substances were added.

Politicians of those times used the toast to check that no poison had been added to their glass. In particular, it was common to clink the glass with that of the political opponent in an energetic manner. In this way, a few drops of wine went into the opponent's glass. If the contents of one of the two glasses had been voluntarily altered, one of the guests, the person responsible or the instigator of the gesture, would have refused to drink the wine or to make the toast.

During this action there was an intense eye contact. Looking each other in the eyes was a way to evaluate the expression of the other person, trying to understand the reaction and the state of mind of the opponent.

➡️ EYE CONTACT DURING THE TOAST HELPS TO UNDERSTAND IF POISONING SUBSTANCES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE GLASS OF WINE.

Clinking glasses vigorously, keeping eye contact with the diner and drinking the wine at the same time was a gesture of loyalty, which meant that the wine had not been altered in any way. The custom of cheers and eye contact during the toast was born in these circumstances.

Today its original meaning has been lost. To be honest, clinking glasses during the toast is now discouraged by wine etiquette because it is considered inelegant, while looking each other in the eyes remains of considerable importance. Of course, it doesn't help to find out if the diner has poisoned the wine, but it is a good practice that demonstrates the respect and education of the participants.