I was just in L.A. and I thought I was a fearless driver until I got stuck in a carpool on 405....no one, and I mean no one would let me out, and everyone was tailgating!!
A very early memory was crossing the street holding my Mom's hand going to Boston Park in MA. I guess the light changed and the cars started towards us and my Mom literally screamed at me "run, run for your life".....Ah, Boston, really really scary driving. No pedestrian laws I guess back then. I got stuck in a rotary there and never made it across the Charles River like I wanted to....too scared.
Standing on a corner in Rome can be really scary too.
So, I guess you're not rinsing with salt water after you do your commute spit??