h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here in Köln my German pals tell me that if you are clinking glasses with someone on a cheers and you do not make eye contact with the other person, you have doomed yourself to seven years bad sex.

I don't know about bad sex, but it is definately considered the height of rudeness in Austria. I learned this from a friend whilst I was living there.

But when u think about it it makes sense. If u are just clinking glasses in the middle of the table whats the point? In Austria/Germany you clink your glass with everyone elses glass, and look that person in the eye as u clink, thereby acknowledging their existance. I have been teaching this method to people I meet, and once explained they agree that it is far more polite!

Also on the topic of drinking (this is directed specifically at young Australian travellers), if in this situation a Scandinavian person says 'skül' (pronounced school) do not assume they mean 'skull' (australian slang for downing the WHOLE glass at once) the drink. As u will be looked at most strangely.

Also: here in Köln the locally brewed beer, Kölsch, is about as common as water. There are at least 25 brands of Kölsch that I am aware of. There are big breweries with restaraunt/bars attatched.
The waiters in these breweries are brusk and businesslike, as they are not fishing for an American style gratuity, and for the most part are all Richtige Kölsche Junge, Köln's version of "Good Ol' Boys".
I took two British friends of mine to the Früh Brauhaus recently. I ordered a Kölsch, Rebecca ordered a Radler (disgusting beer/sprite mixture, don't ask), and Colleen ordered a hot chocolate with cream. The waiter rolled his eyes and a few minutes later came back with 3 glasses of Kölsch. He presented them with flourish. "Here is your beer." one down. "And your Radler." two down. "And finally, your chocolate with cream."

Oh and don't the girls just love that Radler, another wonderful German combination is, as weird as it sounds. "Coke und Weizen" coke and wheat beer, mmmm never tried it myself, but its fairly common... I know a few guys that swear by it!

Whilst living in Austria I developed a bit of a taste for their "white" beer, but its almost impossible to get here in Australia, unless u visit a German restaurant.

Oh yes, and you must very careful when making the most accepted Hungarian toast - mispronounce as English speakers usually do and you wind up saying "to your arse" instead of "to your health".

Don't order Kölsch in Düsseldorf.

I'll order Kölsch in Dusseldorf if you'll order Alt in Köln.