I ride very similar to Beanz. Follow the rules of the road just as if I was a car, but with modified exclusions. Meaning I don't take the lane if I don't need to. I do live in a cycling acceptable area (portland) and I have only once had an incident. Even then it was only a honk.
When I lived in NC, I had a much different experience. I rode the same as I did here, but it didn't matter. People would constantly buzz you, throw stuff at you and yell things. Personally, I think the area of the country says it all.
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Demented internet tail wagging imbicile.