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The ancient ritual of toasting is synonymous with the holidays and other special occasions. As early as sixth century B.C., the Greeks were toasting to the health of their friends for a highly practical reason -- to assure their friends that the wine they were about to drink wasn't tainted with poison.
To spike the wine with poison had become an all-too-common means of dealing with social and interpersonal problems -- disposing of an enemy or political rival, or to circumvent a messy divorce. Thus, it became a pledge of friendship for the host to pour wine from a common decanter, drink it before his guests, and satisfied that it was safe, the guests would then raise their glasses and drink.
Today, toasting is an act of kindness because it makes others feel special; it is an art because its effectiveness depends on intuition, timing, and a well-articulated message.
Follow these seven tips to enhance your toasting etiquette:
Today's Top7Business article was submitted by Jacqueline Whitmore, founder and director of The Protocol School of Palm Beach. She presents seminars in business etiquette, international protocol and customer services strategies. For more information, call (561) 586-9026 or email her at info@etiquetteexpert.com. To receive Whitmore's free ezine, THE PROTOCOL POST, visit her Web site at http://www.etiquetteexpert.com
Source: http://Top7Business.com/?expert=Jacqueline_Whitmore
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Article Submitted On: December 29, 2000
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