Assertive driving, or not

In much of Boston, MA, if one wants to drive on a road that is a useful through route then often one just has to go ahead and take that space because it's not going to be offered: there is plenty of traffic and opportunities for conflict between streams of it. Even back in Columbus, OH, there is a section of interstate I sometimes used where, at freeway speeds and in a short space, traffic streams have to cross each other. (Put the exit ramp before the entry ramp? Ha, that's for amateurs.) Even just at the end of the suburban road we lived on in Belmont, MA, we had a busy crossroads linked to a busy T-junction without so much as a traffic light or a roundabout (or, in MA, a rotary). It's all quite workable but one can't be hesitant and wait for a generous space.

Moving to Tayside was a considerable contrast. I made use of what I thought were quite large, safe spaces and was still getting drivers honking their horn at me. I'm guessing that they'd get approximately nowhere if they rented a car in Houston or LA. I've since indulged them by adjusting, proceeding only when there is a generous amount of space and time indeed for me to occupy, but the fact of there being such a difference was quite a surprise to me.