Drinking in Europe: Quirky Customs and Essential Rules for Blending In Like a Local

Always maintain direct eye contact when toasting across European countries, failure to do so supposedly brings seven years of bad luck (or bad sex in France and Spain). Understanding local drinking customs helps you blend in and avoid embarrassing cultural missteps when socializing across European nations.

France: Wine Culture and Toasting Rules

The French take wine seriously and follow strict toasting etiquette. Always maintain direct eye contact when raising glasses. Never add ice to wine or cross glasses with someone else during a toast. Most importantly, never put your glass down without sipping after someone offers a toast, legend says failing to follow this brings seven years of bad sex.

Popular French drinks include absinthe, pastis, Benedictine, Chartreuse, Grand Marnier, and naturally, wine from regions throughout France.

Italy: Savoring Over Speed

Italians drink to savor flavor, not to get drunk. Expect leisurely sipping rather than quick consumption. Small hole-in-the-wall bars exist for quick drinks, but true Italian style means sticking to water and wine with meals. Enjoy an aperitivo before meals to stimulate appetite and a digestivo afterward to aid digestion.

Popular drinks include Prosecco, Aperol, Negroni, Campari, Limoncello, Grappa, and regional wines.

Germany: Wedding Traditions and Beer

Germans have playful drinking traditions, particularly at weddings. One popular custom involves groomsmen kidnapping the bride after the ceremony and taking her to a bar. The groom must find her and pay the bill for all groomsmen, a clever way to get free drinks.

Popular beverages include wine, Sekt (German champagne), Schnapps, bowl punch, Glühwein (mulled wine), and beer from renowned breweries.

Ukraine and Eastern Europe: Creative Shots

Ukrainian weddings feature their own quirky tradition where guests steal the bride's shoes. The bridal party must perform tasks to retrieve them, often involving vodka shots served from the shoe. Creative bridesmaids sneak glasses into shoes to avoid ruining them.

Popular drinks include wine, mead, horilka (vodka), and beer.

Netherlands: The Kopstootje Challenge

The Dutch favor a drinking game called Kopstootje (little headbutt). This involves taking a shot of chilled jenever (Dutch gin) from a small tulip glass without using hands. Bend at the waist, take a big gulp, then chase it with beer. This game exists to get people intoxicated quickly. Survivors deserve tasty bitterballen (fried snacks).

Popular drinks include jenever, advocaat, orange bitters, and lager beer.

Spain: Superstitions and Toasts

Spanish culture features many superstitions affecting daily life. The bad sex curse (not looking someone in the eye during toasts) also applies to toasting with water instead of alcohol. Consider ordering cava, sangria, vermouth, tinto de verano (summer wine), or cerveza (beer) instead.

Greece: Ancient History and Poison Checks

Greek drinking customs have deep historical roots. In ancient times, hemlock poisoned condemned prisoners and philosophers like Socrates. The tradition of clinking glasses and saying cheers supposedly originated when people would allow drinks to spill into others' glasses to prove they weren't poisoned. Maintain eye contact during toasts for tradition.

Popular drinks include ouzo, rakomelo (raki with honey), raki, Metaxa, and beer.

Denmark: Viking Heritage to Modern Cheers

Danish folklore claims Vikings drank wine from bowls made from defeated enemies' skulls. This might explain why the Danish word for cheers, skål, means bowl. Whether true or not, maintain eye contact when toasting.

Popular drinks include akvavit, mead, brennivin, and lager beer.

The Universal Rule

Across all European countries, one principle applies: drink respectfully and in moderation. Excessive drinking might be acceptable for certain occasions in certain cultures, but generally, enjoying drinks socially and mindfully works everywhere in Europe.

Next Steps

Experience these drinking customs firsthand during your European travels. Remember to respect local traditions and pace yourself to fully enjoy the social aspects of European drinking culture.

Looking for more cultural insights? Visit Expatslist for comprehensive expat guides. Share your drinking experiences on our blogs page, or add your business if you run a bar or restaurant in Europe.