Wacky Drinking Cultures around
the World

Like Shakespeare said, All the World’s a Stage. And the acts get a lot more entertaining with a little bit of alcohol in it.

Drinking cultures around the world shows us how alcohol brings together people and emotions. With friends and family sitting across the table, and a shot in hand, here’s how different communities celebrate their bonds with drinks.

Prost! (Germany)   Germans toast with all their heart and eyes. So, while clinking glasses with them, if you fail to maintain the customary eye contact and don’t say “Prost!” before sipping, there are chances that you’ve disrespected their cherished drinking culture. If you fall in love with the German beer (which you will), and become a regular at their Beer Gardens, they might even reserve a special table for you known as “Stammtisch”. Another interesting culture in Germany is a wedding tradition where the bride is ‘kidnapped’ to a local pub. The groom is to locate and rescue the bride, until which the Bride and Kidnapper can down as many drinks as they want. The ransom to get back the bride is simple – pay off the drinks bill and take the bride home.Like Shakespeare said, All the World’s a Stage. 

And the acts get a lot more entertaining with a little bit of alcohol in it.

Drinking cultures around the world shows us how alcohol brings together people and emotions. With friends and family sitting across the table, and a shot in hand, here’s how different communities celebrate their bonds with drinks.

Nomikai (Japan)

Peru’s drinking culture comes in a circle. In their traditional Beer Ritual, participants form a circle with a 720ml bottle and a single small glass.The drinking circle starts with Peruvian A filling the glass and handing the bottle to Peruvian B. ‘A’ then chugs down the glass, flicks the froth from the glass onto the ground, and passes on the glass toPeruvian B. Peruvian B then repeats this with Peruvian C. The cycle continues until the bottle’s back in the hands of Peruvian A. hoever finishes the bottle tends to buy the next bottle and start the process again. It becomes a seamless and communal chain of Cusquena drinking.Philippines observes a similar tradition called TagayTa Bai (Lets drink, friend).

Chugging Cow Blood (Tanzania)

Tanzania’s Maasai warriors uphold a unique tradition of drinking a mixture ofc ow’s blood and wine during ceremonies. Drinking the mixture is supposed to symbolise strength, unity and a spiritual connection with the ancestors.Known for their hospitality, they often encourage visitors to partake in their local drinking customs as a sign of respect. Some other drinks that are locally produced include Mbege (made from fermented bananas) and Pombe (home brewed beers out of millet or sorghum).

Beer Circle (Peru)

A popular way to unwind after a hectic day’s work in Japan is the Nomikai – a drinking party.Considered an extension of the workplace, colleagues get together out of work to pour drinks for each other and show their respect. Its more sort of a team-building activity with more fun and less filter.The culture is quite an important part of their bond, and so Izakayas (Japanese establishments) observe Nomihodai (drink as much as you like) to promote such bonding traditions. The Nomihodai brings together deals of ‘drink as much as you like’ before the time runs out.

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‍Seven Years of Disastrous Sex (Czech Republic)

There wouldn’t be a group that takes drinking as seriously as the Czech’s. Understandably too, because the curse for not drinking right is rather brutal.People here toast their glasses to the health of every person present on the table (regardless of it being 7 to 700 people). They should also maintain eye contact while doing so and make sure that not a single drop is spilled from the glass. Else it’s considered a bad omen and they’d probably end up with seven years of disastrous sex.However, there is a saving grace. Thankfully, this ritual is performed only for the first drink of the night.

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‍Beer & BBQ (South Africa)

Known as “Braai and Dop”, South Africans reserve Fridays for Braai (barbecue)and dop (drink) with close family and friends.The tradition is all about socializing and catching up some time with the close ones. And what better way to do that than beside meat cooked on an open fire and some good local beer.
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‍Drinking out of the Bridal Shoes (Ukraine &Hungary)

If you’re attending a Ukrainian wedding, be prepared to witness this be wildering culture. As per their customs, a guest can try to steal her shoe sand is entitled to make any demand. Very often then, the wedding party is made to drink wine out of the bride’s stolen shoe. A similar tradition is seen in Hungary, where the most important toast of the wedding is when the groom drinks out of the bride’s shoes.

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‍Batalla De Vino (Spain)

Spain observes one of the most interesting festivals across the world – the Haro Wine Festival. Featuring the Batalla de Vino (Battle of Wine), the party go-ers dress in White and throw around Wine. Doused in booze using sprayers, buckets, and anything that holds liquids – this is a party to remember (or you’d be too drunk to remember). Drinking cultures around the world goes beyond the usual “I Toast To..”. It’s a “Prost!” someplace, “Kanpai!” someplace else, and in another location, people just throw around Wine instead of saying Cheers! Each culture brings together memories for a lifetime, and we’re all CHEERS for it!