It's AMAZING! And you don't even appreciate it! Tsk tsk tsk. I first commuted for a year+ in the suburbs (fairly classic new development urban sprawl car-land) and now I'm in Philly. And just like you describe... Some drivers will stop and let you go through even when they have right-of-way (by a mile). Even when I come to a complete stop, some drivers that beat me to the intersection (I have a lot of 4-way stops) will still gesture for me to go first.
Just accept it and enjoy it and go ride in some urban sprawl so you realize how good you have it
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Treasurer, HHCMF Club
Now living in the land of the cheesesteak.
But working at a job where I can't surf BikeForums all day any more...