a person could go up to someone he does not know and introduce himself. On more formal occasions or at parties run by older people a guest always waits to be introduced to someone he does not know by the host, hostess or another guest who he already knows. At even a formal dinner an Englishman does not wait for a toast before he has a drink. The English reserve toasts for very formal or very special occasions. In these cases the toast will usually be panied by a short speech, for example, at a wedding reception or at a party for somebody who is retiring. After a private dinner in someone's house an Englishman will only shake hands with the host and hostess if it is a fairly formal occasion, like a business dinner, and he will usually put his coat on and say goodbye as he leaves the house.