Ein Prosit, Ein Prosit!

(for anyone who knows that song, good luck getting it out of your head now:)

In honor of Thirsty Thursdays over at FTLOB, I decided to share with you a tid bit of info about the drinking protocol here in Germany. 

First rule, you must wear lederhosen. Nah, not really.

Nothing like being awkward at a foreign bar when you don't know what to do with your drink. You start to get nervous, a thin line of sweat beads on your forehead. "Do I tap the drink on the table first before I sip?", "What if I clink glasses and no one else does?", or "Oh god, do I drink it all in one sip or slam the thing?!" Nerve racking :)

Our first year we were in Germany we learned how to 'cheers' properly right away. Well, maybe I shouldn't say learned. It was more like we got scared shitless into doing it the right way. The hubs got yelled at by a drunk old German lady because he 'cheers-ed' wrong. Willkommen in Deutschland, hubby!

You see, in Germany, it is polite (or mandatory, depending on the inebriation of the individual) to look the person in the eye when you cheers, or, auf Deutsch, Prost. It signifies that they exist in your mind, that they are worth something since you took the time to look into their eyes. What?! Did they write the movie Avatar or something??

You learn quick, good job babe!

 Anyways, it became a quick habit for us. And you know what, it's not such a bad practice either. I am a believer of looking people in their eyes when you are talking to them. So it works out OK for us, except when we go back home and people think we are weird starers. "Why did you look me hard in the eye before I took a sip? Did you poison my vodka soda?! You did, didn't you!!"

Quit it, you weirdos! (source)

I am not sure if this is the 'official'/'unofficial' rule over here, I think some Germans might disagree. But this is what we were told, and as I have mentioned several times before, I hate getting yelled at in German. So like a good little Deutsches Mädel, I follow the rules ;)

So, quick recap. You say "Prost" (Cheers) or "Zum Wohl" (To health) or "Auf Uns" (To us, my favorite), clink your glasses, stare daggers into the other people's eyes - must make eye contact with everyone at the table- and then get to drinking. 

Just don't clink too hard....

Useful information....I think so!

Although I like adapting to the culture here, we live in Germany so we do as the Germans do, this whole cheersing act doesn't quite have the same ring to it as my favorite toast back home.

It's so appropriate for the Texas cowgirl I can be. And if you use it, you MUST say it with a Southern draw.

"Here's to the bee that stung the bull that got the bull a-bucking. Here's to Adam who stuck Eve that got the world a-f*cking. Yeeehaaaw!" 

Drink up, ya'll! (source)

Cl-ass-ee.