Is it OK to yell in a restaurant when a wineglass breaks?
Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, but you can call me Vinny. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the fine points of etiquette to the science of winemaking. And don't worry, I'm no wine snob—you can also ask me those "dumb questions" you're too embarrased to ask your wine geek friends! I hope you find my answers educational, empowering and even amusing. And don't forget to check out my most asked questions and my full archives for all my Q&A classics.
Dear Dr. Vinny,
When someone breaks a glass, whether at your table or another, why not yell “Opa!” like they do in Greece? I always do this, even at the finest restaurants, and I haven’t been scolded yet.
—Christian, Lagos, Portugal
Dear Christian,
Even though you weren’t scolded, you may well have made some of your fellow diners uncomfortable. While it’s possible some people appreciated your outburst as a show of levity and humor, I think this is more of a “read the room” situation.
I’d point you to my recent answer about how to react when a wineglass breaks. You’ll notice that I didn’t advise yelling at all. It’s not a big deal when a glass breaks, but most people—diners and restaurant staff included—want to get the mess cleaned up and move on as quickly and discreetly as possible.
Yelling, even if it’s well-intentioned, just draws additional attention to a potentially embarrassing situation. In fact, in a nice restaurant, the only thing I can think of that would justify yelling is a medical emergency or a fire. (And I’m not talking about a flambé!)
Look, I’m all for having a good time. You’re correct that in some parts of the world, yelling out “Opa!” is a fun way to mark many occasions, including when you hear a glass break or a dish fall. I’d note, however, that if you’re not Greek, you might raise some eyebrows with your choice. You might also confuse people who don’t know the word.
In a similar way, it’s nice to say “Cheers!” to toast at the beginning of a meal, or when someone says something worth celebrating. But that can be done elegantly, in a way that’s not disruptive to other guests.
In short, it’s one thing to yell “Opa!” (or anything else) when you’re at a party, in a rowdy bar or in the privacy of your own home. It’s another to do it at a quiet, romantic restaurant.
As someone who has broken my fair share of dishes and glasses (accidents happen!), I’d probably be mortified by the additional commotion. And if I were sitting at the table next to you, I might either laugh out loud or give you a little stink eye. Again, it depends on the situation.
—Dr. Vinny
