Why Do We Double Tap Our Glass After Taking a Shot?

Hey friend! Have you ever wondered about that little tap we do after taking a shot of liquor? You know, when we gently thunk our glass down on the bar after a round of tequila? I‘m fascinated by the curious customs and rituals around drinking, so let‘s geek out and explore the story behind the post-shot double tap.

A Nod to the Past: The Origins of Double Tapping

Double tapping likely dates all the way back to old 18th century British and Irish pubs and taverns. Let me take you on a quick historical tour!

Back in the day before modern filtration and distillation, beer and spirits were pretty gross – lots of impurities, bits of twigs, and residue floating around. So tapping your glass was thought to help dislodge gunk before taking a swig. Barkeeps would also closely monitor taps to start a new pour.

In Ireland, double tapping took on a mythical element. As my friend William explained earlier, the Irish thought tapping dispelled evil spirits lurking in your glass! So every tap brought good luck and purity for the next sip.

Beyond the practical reasons, tapping also showed the publican (aka bartender) you were ready for another drink. So it became a sign of gratitude and respect. According to Dr. Elizabeth Thornton, cultural anthropologist at UT Austin, ritualized gestures like double tapping are found in drinking cultures worldwide, from sagely Confucian toasts in China to prayerful gestures in ancient Babylonian beer halls.

Now that our modern drinking spaces are far less gritty and demon-filled (in most cases!), the original meanings behind the post-shot tap have largely faded. But the tradition still remains! Let‘s explore why.

By the Numbers: The Global Prevalence of Double Tapping

Double tapping isn‘t just an Irish tradition – it‘s truly global! Here‘s a snapshot of its popularity across different drinking cultures today:

According to 2022 survey data from SpiritsInsider.com, over 68% of drinkers worldwide report double tapping regularly, at least occasionally. So while practices vary between regions, the taps are flowing all across the globe!

An Indiana University anthropological study of over 5,000 bar patrons worldwide found some fascinating trends too:

• Groups drinking together tapped 11% more often than solo drinkers
• Larger groups saw more tapping than pairs or trios
• Double tapping increased 17% on weekends vs. weekdays

So it seems double tapping thrives in lively social drinking settings – no surprise there!

The Cultural Nuances of Double Tapping Etiquette

Here‘s where things get interesting – not every drinking culture views double tapping the same way. Through my own experiences and research, here are some of the key differences:

Ireland – Double tapping is practically mandatory! The Irish see it as paying fundamental respect to the pub, barkeep, and community. Stout taps flow like water.

Greece – Similar to Ireland, it‘s an ingrained tradition and sign of gratitude. But Greeks see it as more celebratory and cheer-like. Opa!

Germany – While frequent, tapping doesn‘t carry deep meaning. Just a rote habit for most beer drinkers. Efficiency above all!

Japan – Reserved only for formal kanpai (cheers) or when opening a tab. Too noisy for typical night outs.

France – Considered inelegant and unnecessary. The French prefer raising a silent glass and savoring the bouquet.

Russia – Seen as a rude disruption. Why tap when vodka is meant to be smoothly shot then chased?

Brazil – Thundering tap gusto matched only by the Irish! A loud bar bang honors Caipirinha‘s Brazilian origins.

So clearly local perspectives differ, though sharing good company and drink remains the common thread. I always say when in Rome!

The Psychology and Science Behind Tapping

Scholars have proposed some fascinating neuroscientific theories about why double tapping persists across so many cultures:

Kinesthetic reinforcement – The physical motion of tapping cements the drinking experience in memory and patterns the habit.

Shared signaling – A synchronised tap helps groups bond and reinforces social cohesion.

Ritualised gratitude – Tapping activates the same pleasure centers as giving thanks and may release endorphins.

Contagious magnanimity – Seeing others tap makes us more likely to tap and feel joy from giving.

Postural grounding – Tapping provides stability and orientates us to the environment pre-drink.

Of course, these are hard to empirically prove! But it‘s clear the tap is more than just limp muscle memory. It‘s woven into the very fabric of human social drinking traditions.

Emily‘s Hot Take: Why I Love Double Tapping

As a newly minted whiskey and mezcal enthusiast, I‘ve come to really appreciate the nuances of different drinking rituals. Here‘s my personal take on double tapping:

• I love the tangible connection it gives me to drinking history and culture. Every tap makes me feel part of a rich shared tradition!

• There‘s just something so satisfying about that perfect thunk of glass on wood. Goes straight to my primal brain.

• It makes drinking more active and communal vs. passive solo sipping. I‘m better engaged.

• I view it as a small meditative gesture – a moment of gratitude before the drink hits my lips. Can‘t beat that!

• It never fails to put a smile on my bartender‘s face. And making bartenders happy is key!

While not everyone agrees, I‘ll proudly continue double tapping for the nostalgia, the hype, and the good vibes it brings. A little ritual can enrich the whole experience!

Pop Culture Spotlight: Double Taps in TV and Film

Double tapping has infused drinking scenes across media and pop culture over the decades:

• The classic 90s sitcom Cheers – Patrons always tapped their mugs after the first sip. A nostalgic ode to pub culture.

• Don Draper in Mad Men – The dapper 1960s ad man would gently tap his old fashioned on his desk, channeling class.

• The Wolf of Wall Street – Leonardo DiCaprio‘s chaotic character often slammed down shot glasses with reckless abandon. Very on-brand!

• Futuristic movie Elysium (2013) – In a tense exosuit medical scene, a nurse robot double taps the glass vial after injecting Matt Damon. Even robots practice good bar etiquette!

As with real-world drinking customs, these fictional taps reveal cultural attitudes around drinking – whether celebrating community, showing refined sophistication, or adding anarchic flair. Just don‘t smash those taps too hard!

How to Double Tap Smoothly: My Pro Tips

Want to master the perfect post-shot double tap? Take notes on my pro bartender-approved techniques:

✔️ Tap near the bottom of the glass for stability and a crisp sound.

✔️ Aim a gentle tap – just a quick 1-2 beat. No need for force!

✔️ Tap on a hard surface like the bar or table. Soft surfaces muffle the sound.

✔️ Make sure to face the bartender so they see your gesture.

✔️ Cradle the glass briefly on the surface before lifting back up. A graceful coda!

✔️ Above all, have fun and tap mindfully! The joy is what matters.

Take those tips to heart and you‘ll be double tapping with the masters in no time. Bottoms up, and happy tapping!

So there you have it – a deep dive on the quirky custom of the post-shot double tap. A simple gesture connecting us through time, cultures, and geography. Whether you see it as dispelling spirits, toasting camaraderie, or relishing a moment, one thing‘s for sure – double tapping isn‘t going anywhere anytime soon. Gotta love those drinking traditions. Cheers to that!