Breaking glasses

[Danko Sipka]

On Mon, 7 Oct 1996, Elena Katsaros wrote:

> >Does anyone know the origin of the tradition of smashing glasses after
> >toasting?  Is this a specifically Russian custom?  Is it still done, or
> >just the stuff of novels?
> >
>  I know from my Greek relatives, that the Greeks also do that. Since
> Russians adopted many Greek religious and other ceremonies, I see the
> connection in the glass breaking custom as well.
>

Smashing glasses is still alive on the Balkans. There are different
techniques of doing that, some of them being very unpleasant. Thus in
the cult movie by Aca Petrovic called "Skupljaci perja" the main character
at one point smashes two glasses, and then cuts his hands with it. But
this is an extreme case. Normally, you smash it either behind your
back or by your foot, and keep drinking from another glass. It is
normally a short and resolute movement. These are the most common
techniques, but I have also seen people who were throwing their glasses
to the wall, those who first put their glass on the table and then
simply push it down...

It can be at any time you feel like doing it, not only after the
toast.

Aren't Greeks supposed to smash saucers rather than glasses?

Danko Sipka