Expect to be at the table for a long time. You should not rise from the table before your hostess does. It is impolite to leave a host's home too soon after dinner. To indicate that you have finished eating, place the knife and fork side by side on the plate, pointed away from you. It is common to rise when being introduced to someone, and to shake hands with both men and women.
Handshakes are firm but brief.
When greeting a couple, it is customary to shake hands with the woman first. Your colleague will usually shake your hand when leaving as well. Summon waiters by raising your index finger. When ascending a flight of stairs, men precede women. When descending, women precede men.