What is the proper way to make a toast?

The proper way to make a toast involves raising your glass, standing, and addressing the group with a brief speech before drinking. This approach demonstrates respect and acknowledges the company you are in, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared celebration. By standing and delivering a brief speech, you engage the audience and convey the significance of the occasion or the people being honored, making the toast more meaningful.

In contrast, simply raising your glass and drinking does not add any personal touch or significance to the moment. It misses the opportunity to connect with the audience. Not making eye contact with anyone can come across as impolite or disengaged, which undermines the spirit of a toast meant to unite people. Finally, making the toast unnecessarily long can lead to a loss of interest and may detract from the specialness of the moment, which is ideally brief and focused. Thus, the best practice for making a toast is to follow a structured approach that includes addressing the group with a brief message.