I've heard tales of people, as guests in others' homes, venerating the icons before greeting the host. Thta's trather lovely, although I'm not sure how that would work socially here and now.
Yes. I've heard that too. The icon corner is the central place of the Orthodox faithful home and should be honored when entering the home. I don't think that it's necessary to bypass the person who opens the door and move directly to the icons, but a quick greeting and when brought to the room that is usually served for receiving guests, a person can venerate the icons.
I think that when icons are present, that they should be treated with the same compunction we have when we venerate them in Church. It seems crass, if an Orthodox person comes into the proximity of icons and just ignores them, as if they are part of the furniture. As Orthodox Christians, it is part of our daily activity to venerate the icons. We wake up and venerate them and when we go to sleep.
Even when a priest is present or it's the priest's home, upon leaving, a person should venerate the icons before taking the priest's blessing.
As far as socially here...depends on whose home you visit. But, I think it's a matter of honoring God and praying for the people of that household....a simple, Lord have mercy on this family. And if the icons are set up high on the wall, then just to cross ourselves and a little bow.
In Christ, Joanna