A bounty of neat articles about travelling and other cultures at Getting Through Customs.
The Japanese view drinking as an important way to unwind from the stresses of business. No one pours a drink for him- or herself; someone else at the table fills your glass. When joined by a foreigner, the drinking evening becomes an extension of the business day. The standard toasts are kanpai (“Dry cup!”) or banzai (“May you live a thousand years”).
I plan to use kanpai — Dry cup! How direct! — but I think I might hold off on banzai.
I know it isn’t the same, but can you imagine waves of suicide pilots shouting “salud!” before crashing into your cruiser?
Via Lifehack.org, a site that I only read on RSS. Less of a hassle that way.