You could say that, but there is method to the madness. Each area has its own method. I look at it as a dance. You have to learn how the dance goes by careful observation. Then you can join the dance. I realized this when I was visiting Paris. I grew up in NYC and then lived in Boston for three years. Then I visited Paris. My hosts said that even though I was an experienced cyclist, they didn't recommend I ride in Paris traffic, and I agreed. It looked frightful. Then after a few days of walking around, I understood the dance. I got on my wheels, and it went just fine.

NYC is tough and sometimes irritating, but unless I'm imagining it, it's actually a bit kinder and gentler than it used to be. I still don't like driving a car here, but I'm just fine riding a bike, most of the time. It helps to predict how others will behave and also be predictable to others. It also helps to understand people's motivations.