Posted by: venom

Have you ever been to a gala dinner and then asked by someone to propose a toast on short notice? It is not as easy as it seems, isn’t it? The following are a few pointers to keep in mind if you are ever put on the spot.

Before you make the toast, think of what you want to say. Rehearse it a few times in your mind so that it will be smooth when you actually deliver the toast. If you feel a little creative, add some humour or a quick poem before you start. What you should say depends on the type of event - so consider your words and their appropriateness to the situation before you decide.

If the audience is small, make sure that everyone has a filled glass before you make the toast. You would not want to interrupt the occasion with someone looking to fill his glass just before you make the toast. Have a quiet word with the waiter to ask him to fill everyone’s glasses.

You would want to make sure that you have the crowd’s undivided attention when you make the toast. As such, plan ahead by reviewing the event’s agenda so that you can make the toast when there are no other activities that will compete for attention. When you make the toast, stand up and make a noise (for example, tap your glass) to capture the audience.

When you actually make the toast, direct it to the intended person - usually the host or the guest of honour. Face the intended person and try to maintain eye contact. Speak slowly and clearly so that your audience can hear and understand what you are trying to say. You should keep the toast short and straight to the point. Always remember that the toast is to forward attention towards the intended person and not to yourself!

After you make the toast, lift your glass towards the intended person and then lead the audience in drinking. Once that is done, place your glass firmly on the table and make a quick bow to acknowledge and thank the audience for their attention and be seated.

As you can see, the toast should be easy since it is normally quick and short. However, when you have everyone listening to you, you may get jittery and start behaving awkward. As such, some simple mental preparation goes a long way in helping you make a toast successfully.