well my first car was a auto, now I've got a manual. I don't think I'll be going back to an auto any time soon. I drive in NYC traffic so you know its bad. Like others have said u get used to it and it becomes second nature. In the begining there were a couple of times were my leg would start to hurt in stop and go traffic but that doesn't happen anymore.
Oh and you have a very strong left calf muscle after a while.