As a glider pilot (primarily) I don't personally rely on the ROW rule, on the simple premise that at the pearly gates it's no good saying 'I had the ROW'.
Can't agree more. I experience pilots who fail to comply with the rules of the air in a similar situation almost every working (flying) day.
As a helicopter pilot I sit on the right, so can see aircraft on my right a little easier - apart from the six inch wide door pillar about eighteen inches from my nose, partially obscuring my field of view. I suffer from neck-ache.