Taiwan’s Toasting Culture: From Weddings to Year-End Banquets, It’s a Social Skill of Its Own

If you have ever been to a Taiwanese wedding, you probably know this moment well. You are happily enjoying your food when the newlyweds suddenly appear at your table with glasses in hand, followed closely by someone carrying a bottle to refill everyone’s cups. In an instant, the entire table puts down their chopsticks, picks up their glasses, and gets ready for a toast.

This is the classic scene of a Taiwanese wedding feast: the table-to-table toast. And it does not only happen at weddings. You will see a similar ritual at company year-end banquets. Dishes may be beautifully plated, but some people barely get to enjoy them because they spend most of the night standing up to toast.

My own experience: I barely ate anything at my wedding

I know the pain all too well. On my wedding day, I spent the entire reception weaving from table to table, raising my glass over and over again. I did not have time to sit down, let alone enjoy the food. By the time I made it back to my seat, every dish had already been picked clean. Honestly, the toasting marathon was more exhausting than the ceremony itself.

What made it even funnier was my husband’s family. It was their first time seeing Taiwan’s table-to-table toasting tradition. They were equal parts fascinated and confused, seeing guests stand up and sit down, and basically relying on cues from everyone else. I was too busy to look after them, so all I could do was give quick hand signals that meant “just follow along.” They looked both entertained and overwhelmed while I dashed past them for the next toast.

Toasting at year-end banquets: lively but slightly stressful

Year-end banquets are no easier, especially when the boss starts making the rounds. If wedding toasts are physically tiring, toasts at work events are more like a test of nerves. The moment your boss approaches with a drink, the atmosphere shifts and everyone straightens up. You top up your glass, stand quickly, smile politely, and say something appropriate. If there are several managers, you might have to repeat the whole routine multiple times.

In Taiwan, toasting is practically a workplace survival skill. It is a way to show respect and to build a sense of unity, even if it makes employees a little anxious.

A culture you rarely see in Western countries

Compared with Western gatherings, Taiwan’s table-to-table toasting custom is truly one of a kind. It is not just about drinking. It is a gesture of gratitude and respect. It is a way of showing sincerity through face-to-face interaction. Walking to every table and greeting every guest makes people feel acknowledged and appreciated.

Exhausting as it can be, this tradition reflects the value Taiwanese culture places on human connection and the warmth of personal interaction.