What Russians say before drinking is actually a toast. Russians especially like toasting before drinking. Russians propose a toast before each round of drinking. There is no limit to the form and content of Russian toast, which can be some words of blessing, jokes, famous sayings and aphorisms, even prose and poetry, but it must be from the heart.
Russians believe that only alcoholics don't propose a toast when they drink. A good habit is to say something before raising a glass. A toast to health is a universal toast, or health is the most important thing, and everything else follows. It is often said that it is suitable for any festival and occasion.
It is an art for Russians to propose a toast before drinking.
At the Russian dinner table, if the toast is too broad, it will sound unnatural and may seem too cliche. The structure of classic toast is very complicated. Russians like to say some long, puzzling and profound toasts, usually accompanied by anecdotes, and finally rise to moral preaching before making a toast.
Some toasting scenes in Soviet movies left a deep impression on people. For example, the protagonist of Prisoner of the Caucasus said: My great grandfather said that I have a desire to buy a house, but I have no chance. I have a chance to buy sheep, but I have no desire. I hope our opportunities and desires can be equal forever! Cheers. This toast was later widely circulated in Russia.