To Communicable Illness

There is a lot to be said for the workings of tradition. Sometimes we do thing simply because they have become ingrained in our cultural habitude. And sometimes it is worth consciousifying them in order to remember what they are about. I speak here of item a, proposing a toast.

In my research on the subject I have learned that we are one of the cultures that toasts the least. But we still do it, which means it is something that still holds some importance to it. Toasts, perhaps became replaced by grace in this country, and with the wonderful diminution of that trying practice, I believe we need to resuscitate the toast.

The basic toast comes in three parts: proposal, agreement, drinking. Of course it is something I would like because it combines community and drinking. In fact, that is why I think you should like it too. Not because of alcohol per se, but because consuming the drink is a big part of it. It is as if the group blesses the liquid with their specific wish, as a group, and then commits themselves to it by physically making that blessed liquid a part of themselves.

Now I'm going to lay this on you two fold. First I think toasts need to be more specific and more tenuous. I think they need to be something that you actually think of and consciously decide you want to enact. I mean, it can be as simple as pledging friendship or commemoration of a loved one or something as complex as future communal goals. I think it is simply a great time for groups of people to vocalize their interests and to find accords. The British, as an example, will toast on almost every swallow of liquid. How potent a brew must that be, filled with hopes, dreams and emotions.

My second thought is the one nobody does anymore and there are some fine reasons why not. But it is a powerful symbol and I think it wouldn't be too bad to drag it howling and dusty from the vault of antiquity every now and again in specific sets of company. That is, it was typical at Greek celebrations for there to be a large libation (wine to you and me) bowl that was passed amongst the gathered and sipped from in turn. Thus each member of the assembly would pass and drink committing themselves to unity in a physical way. Obviously this isn't a practice you'd want to take up with just anybody, especially during cold and flu season. But I think there is something really great about that form of sharing that bonds people with a real sense of community. Sometimes in our distanced and disconnected society simply the mention of the idea of a symbol of unity can suffice. And sometimes you actually have to become blood brothers.