proposing a toast can be stressful. With a little preparation,

敬酒可是會讓人感到緊張的。但，有些準備

you can turn your private moment of anxiety into a public moment of shared happiness.

你們可以把緊張的個人發言氣氛轉換成幸福分享的甜蜜時刻

You will need a festive occasion, a guest of honor, a captive audience and a glass of bubbly.

你們需要知道宴會地點、賓客名單、能吸引賓客的話、和一杯氣泡酒

Step 1. Jot down some notes about the person or event you are celebrating.

第一步：記下你們參加的盛會是慶祝人還是事件

Come up with a personal anecdote that entertains the crowd while complimenting the honoree.

讚賞主賓人的同時，不要忘了提到與他的有趣事情，娛樂賓客們

Step 2. Plot an informal outline that has a beginning, middle, and end, so you don't end up rambling.

第二步：擬一個簡略的大綱，有起承轉合，這樣你們才不會結束的太突兀

Don't try to be Chris Rock unless you, too, are known for your joke-telling. Better to be boring than to outright bomb.

另外，除非你們有把握可以像Chris Rock（喜劇家）一樣，不然就不要輕易說笑話。正經無聊的話總比無頭無腦的話來得好

Step 3. Practice your speech until you are comfortable giving it without notes.

第三步：持續練習你們的講稿，直到你們都能講得自然又順暢

Time your delivery until you get the toast under two minutes.

在你們敬酒之前，發言時間則要控制在兩分鐘內

Step 4. When it's time to deliver your speech, politely request the audience's attention: stand, chime your fork on your glass,

第四步：當你們要開始發言時，要有禮貌性的引起賓客們的注意，像是：站起來、用叉子敲敲你們的玻璃杯、

and pause for a moment as the crowd stops talking and turns to face you.

在停頓一下，讓賓客們安靜下來，而慢慢地轉向你們

You don't need all eyes on you before beginning, but wait until most audience members have settled down to begin.

你們不需要等所有賓客都看你們才開始，但是，也是要有大多數的賓客都注意到你們才可以開始

Otherwise you'll risk half of them tuning in mid-toast.

要不然你們可能會因此少了一半的賓客一起敬酒

Step 5. Begin by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship to the honoree.

第五步：先介紹你們自己，還有與主賓人的關係

Speak in a loud, clear voice. Nothing will unnerve you faster than having people in the back barking, "We can't hear you!"

敬酒時的發言要清楚又大聲，因為聽眾們的一番話：「我們聽不到你說什麼！」，則會使得你們更感到喪氣

Step 6. Make eye contact with the audience during your speech,

第六步：在你們發言時，要記得與觀眾眼神交流

but end the toast with your eyes on the guest of honor.

但，在最後敬酒時，要記得與主賓人有眼神交流

Step 7. Raise your glass of bubbly and ask everyone to join you in taking a sip.

第七步：舉起你們的氣泡酒，邀請大家一起喝一口小酒

You've done your job—now relax, knowing that with just a few words, you've made a difference in the life of someone who matters to you.

你們完成了敬酒－現在，就好好放鬆，因為你們給予一位你們所在乎的人，一個人生難忘的時刻

Did you know Toasting comes from the ancient Greeks, who would have everyone drink from the same goblet so no one would fear being poisoned.

你們知道嗎？敬酒是來自希臘傳統，每個希臘人共享一個酒杯，不再畏懼被下毒的可能性