How should I deal with boyfriend's dad?

Last night I was sitting in my boyfriend's room at his parents house (where he lives). We've been dating for 5 years, are in our late 20's, and often stay at each others places. His Dad came in and said "I have something to say to you" to me. My boyfriend's dad rarely speaks to me as he is German, works long hours and was never very involved in his children's life or the household. I was like "alright". He goes on to state that I need to show him more respect. He states that I do not properly greet him. That I should always be the first to say "hi", "bye", and "good morning" and that if he enters a room and I am reading (I read frequently), that I should put down my book and pay proper attention to him (but he rarely says anyhting to me). He often sits in a spare bedroom smoking and reading the paper and says that even if I do not see him when I first enter the home that I should search him out and say "hello". He was really harping on me to the point where I began to cry (I don't deal well with confrontation). My boyfriend sat there and said NOTHING the entire time. I was too upset to even apologize. Eventually he left and I questioned my boyfriend on what exactly the expectation of me is. The thing is I'm really not sure what is protocol when it comes to greeting other people. I've always just been casual and greeted people when I see them and sometimes they may greet me first. I really didn't think this was "something:". He said I "irk" him and have for the past five years. I am very shy/quiet and sensitive. I was raised in a home where we were taught to show proper respect to others. What do you think of this situation? Was he out of line? Does he seem like a control freak? Am I right that greeting is a casual affair? Should my boyfriend have stood up for me? Let me know!!