Yes its its mostly verbal barrage. Also you have to learn the lingo..."Ay Asshole" is a greeting...but it depends on the tone. It can be friendly, nasty, funny, assertive, etc... It can take on any meaning.
Sort of like the term..."you good"..it has so many meanings.
New yorkers are just a tough crowd. I can't quite describe it. I've lived here all my life so i dont have much to compare it it. Im sure to the verbal barrage
All i know is when i go other places outside of NY and everyone is so nice, i dont trust it. I think , whats their motive here? Lol
But its basically exctaly how they portray it in shows and movies