Toasting With Good Graces
Contributed by: News Canada
(NC) - "A good toast should be a gift, not an insult, so make it appropriate, flattering and, if possible, memorable." Says Rossana Magnotta, expert toaster for the award-winning vintner, Magnotta Winery.
Exercise eloquence and wit. Consider the audience both in age and ideologies. Respectful words out weigh comedy in most cases. A good toast has the form of a speech, but obviously in miniscule scale. Consider an introduction, a comment towards the theme of the event and finally an adieu that is well fitting to the occasion. Much more effort is required to be succinct than long-winded, so prepare your words well in advance. Practice, practice, practice if you want to sound spontaneous.
The simplest words are perceived as the most sincere. Be yourself. The best words and witticisms are your own, so forget about being reminded of something you once heard or read. Originality is the essence of wit.
End on a positive note. A toast should always be upbeat. Lead your audience to a conclusion with a generally accepted gesture like "Raise your glass" or "Please join me in..." or just a simple "Cheers" will always uplift.
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