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From knocking on wood to spilling wine, here’s how drinking comes with a little magic around the world
Drinking has never been just about booze — it’s often tangled with traditions, taboos, and tiny rituals passed down through generations. Whether it's toasting to avoid bad luck, or pouring one out for the spirits, every clink of the glass might be echoing centuries of superstition.
Let’s raise a glass to the fascinating, sometimes bizarre, always intriguing drinking superstitions and rituals from around the world.
Superstition: Break eye contact during a toast, and you’re cursed with seven years of bad sex.
Germans take their Prost! seriously. Not locking eyes while clinking glasses isn’t just rude — it’s unlucky. It’s believed to show a lack of sincerity, and the consequence? Awkward in more ways than one.
Superstition: Spilling a bit of your drink pays respect to the deceased.
You’ve seen it in music videos, movies, and maybe even done it yourself — “One for me, one for my homies.” This comes from the ancient practice of offering libations to ancestors, gods, or spirits to honor and appease them.
Superstition: Toasting with water brings bad luck — or even death.
In many cultures, particularly in Europe, making a toast with water is seen as inviting doom. In ancient Greece, water toasts were made only to the dead. So if you're raising a glass, make sure there's something spirited inside.
Superstition: Ringing a small bell before drinking invites good spirits and keeps bad ones away.
In Tibetan monasteries and some cultural gatherings, bells are rung to ward off negative energy. Applied to drinking, it’s a way to bless the gathering before indulging.
Superstition: The bigger the celebration, the grander the ritual.
In France and among some wine aficionados, sabrage — the dramatic act of slicing open a champagne bottle with a sword — is a show of triumph and luck. Napoleon himself was said to have done it after victories.
Superstition: Accidentally spilling vodka = good fortune.
In a place where vodka flows like water, spilling some might seem like a party foul. But in Russia, it’s often seen as a lucky accident — a sign that something good is on its way.
Superstition: Drinking snake or scorpion-infused liquor boosts strength and wards off illness.
In countries like Vietnam and Thailand, you’ll find bottles with cobras or geckos soaking in alcohol. Locals believe these drinks have medicinal and mystical benefits — a literal shot of courage.
Superstition: Leaving anything in your glass insults the host.
It’s not just about being polite — in old Celtic traditions, finishing your drink showed gratitude and trust in your host. Leaving even a sip was seen as disrespectful or suspicious.
Superstition: The last person to finish their drink will get married next.
At weddings or celebrations, this playful belief adds a romantic twist to your final sip. In some cases, the person who leaves the most in their glass is the least likely to marry soon.
Superstition: Offer sake to gods or spirits before drinking yourself.
In Shinto rituals, sake is poured at altars to purify and honor deities. This tradition blends seamlessly into drinking culture — whether at a shrine or during a ceremonial toast.
From cultural quirks to cosmic consequences, it’s clear that drinking isn’t just about getting tipsy — it's wrapped in stories, beliefs, and a little mysticism. So next time you raise a glass, remember: there might be more to your toast than you think.
Just don’t forget the eye contact.
