The World`s 5 Strangest Drinking Rituals

From the weird to the wonderful, the mannered to the mad, every country has its own peculiar set of rituals when it comes to drinking.

While Asian countries emphasise respect for their elders and Scandinavia pays homage to its Viking ancestors, Mexicans have been known to enjoy a critter in their booze and the Czechs are focused on protecting their sex life.

Knowledge of these customary quirks is imperative for travellers not wanting to stray away from the expected etiquette or, indeed, prompt gasps of consternation and disgust.

Drinking customs vary from country to country and even region to region, adding to the wonderful idiosyncrasies of each.

Here are 5 of the world’s strangest drinking rituals, brought to you by The Spirits Business.

South Korea – Respect your elders

There is only really one main rule to adhere to in the South Korean drinking game: respect your elders. In particular, hierarchy must be observed during a jovial hoesik – a character-building drinking session which gives your boss the chance to judge your proficiency in the boardroom by your competence in the boozer.

Scandinavia – A toast to Viking skulls

‘Skål’ – a toast to friendship, good fortune and health – involves keeping steady and sustained eye contact with whomever you toast to ensure the sincerity of the sentiment is felt by all. After saying “skål!” and drinking from your glass, it is customary to again meet your fellow imbibers’ eye as you lower your vessel back to the table.

Russia – Where to put the empties

In Russia, it is unacceptable to drink vodka in any other way except chilled, straight and from a shot glass. It is commonplace to knock back the beverage in one and if you insist on chasing it with something, it must be a beer. Following the soldier tradition and the national notion of brotherhood, custom dictates that when drinking in a group, gulps should be taken in unison. Making the practice of getting sloshed a kind of synchronised dance.

One of the stranger quirks of Russian drinking culture involves putting the empty bottle of vodka on the floor next to the table, since empty bottles left on the table indicates that the drinker is destitute.

Georgia – The anti-toast

The most obvious quirk of Georgian drinking customs is the nation’s penchant for copious amount of toasting. These guys raise their glass to countless things.

In group situations someone takes on the role of ‘Tamada’, the toast master who will make intermittent speeches throughout the evening. An ancient role, the Tamada is the dictator of the table who proposes a toast with the rest of the group offering extensive emotional oration afterwards. An adept wordsmith will often put themselves up for the role and at other times he is selected beforehand.

Czech Republic – Clinky

The Czechs have a particularly superstitious attitude when it comes to enjoying a tipple or two – and a cautious approach to clinking glasses is definitely advised.

To start with, Czechs toast the health of every person on the table (“na zdravy!”), no matter the size of the party. As with the Scandinavians, intense eye contact must be kept at all times – to not do so is considered a bad omen.

According to Czech folklore, a disregard for the country’s drinking customs could result in seven years of disastrous sex. There are two ways to avoid this. First, ensure that when you clink your glass while toasting you do not cross arms with any of your party. Second, do not spill even a drop of liquid from your glass – not an easy feat when staring intently into someone’s eyes.