Hi Dougala, I did the big chop back in February '98 and I LOVED it! I know longer felt like such a slave to my hair!! I had waves I never knew I had and it was so easy!! When I was in the shower I'd just wet my hair rub in some gel and VOILA!!! I was done! My hair would be nice and soft and wavy/curly/loosely coily all day long and look great without my having to go to the bathroom and comb it, etc. It was great. BUT...............THE BAD PART..............the growing out stage was the worst for me! It became too long to lie down and wavy up nicely, but too short to put back in a piggie tail or up in a nice puff ball!!! This was very hard. Also, from learning my hair, I know that my hair when short appears very 3C, but as it gets longer is gets more and more coily, thus the 4A I consider myself to be. So now I had this hair that was about 2 inches long and just sat there on top of my head being too in-between to be cute. This phase lasted about 2 months, then after that I was back in love again because I could slick it back and be conservative at work, and then do my twist outs and it was just great! I loved it! Because of my hairs different textures and the way it breaks so much when I'm due for a relaxer, I don't know whether or not I'd be a good person to transition. I may need to chop!! I'd rather not though. After achieving this length, I'd really rely on this board and the other natural boards for help transitioning and trim every month so I don't have to go so short again. I really don't like short hair on me either like someone else said! You have to really have the right face for it.........like Vivian Green or Halle Berry. They both look BEST with short hair! Not me!! I got compliments, but I prefer myself with it long!!