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At the recent launch of the Wealth Magazine Business Access TV series, as toasts were being raised to celebrate the event, Managing Director Leighton Davis suggested that I do some research on the origins of this custom that we practise. All over the world people clink glasses of champagne, wine, rum, vodka and other spirits wishing each other good health, “Cheers", “Salud”, “À votre santé”, “Chin chin”, or “Prost”. But there was a point in our history when this ritual was actually a life or death situation.
History of toasting
Honey Bun exec Krystal Chong with white wine in hand during the launch party.
Wealth Magazine Business Access executive producers Garth Walker (left) and Leighton Davis raise a toast with Digicel’s Tshani Jaja.
Erroleen Anderson-Powell (left) and husband Phil Powell along with MaXBrown boutique owner Sophia MaxBrown during the Wealth Magazine Business Access launch.
Garrick Communications director Naomi Garrick smiles in-between sips of red wine.
There are a number of stories on the beginnings of this custom. One story suggests that toasting originated with the English custom of flavouring wine with a piece of browned and spiced toast. In 1709 Sir Richard Steels wrote of a lady