toasting

[hockeybrain]

Anybody know anything on the Proper Russian way to toast.  When you are in a large group situation with your girlfriend the more you know the better.  Believe me, vodka is very important in Russian culture and toasting goes with vodka.  So, I assume you drink when the person making the toast drinks.  However, when you clink, you clink everyone near you at the table.  Do you clink at the same level, higher or lower than their glass depending upon their level or what?  Anything else on toasting.

[BubbaGump]

... in response to toasting, posted by hockeybrain on Nov 1, 2001

The way I did it was to all raise your glasses and say something in Russian, clink your glasses and then drink the whole glass of champaigne at once.  They didn't toast with vodka.  This is done when you meet people for the first time.  We also ate shearst (sp?) which is like a shishkabob of meat.  You drink the whole bottle of champaigne at the meal.  I don't know if this tradition varies around the different regions or not.  I was told a lot of Russian traditions revolve around drinking and coming up with reasons to drink.  

[RickM]

... in response to toasting, posted by hockeybrain on Nov 1, 2001

1)choot-choot = easy,just a little (it'll never happen)
2)Nastrovia = good health to you (when toasting)