Thanks for the Compliment?

So I got a new haircut. Most of you know that this is certainly nothing new for me. I change my hairstyle all the time, operating under the philosophy that it's just hair and it always grows back so why not mix it up and have some fun? Some cuts have, admittedly, been less successful than others. But some have been genuinely great hairstyles. This past Saturday, I had bangs cut for the first time since I was 15 years old. It's an obvious nod to Katie Holmes (who picks weird husbands but great hairdo's) and is only slightly on the shag side of pixie. I love it. I think it's one of the best haircuts I've ever had, and I feel genuinely confident, at ease, and (dare I say) sexy sporting it. I've received really positive feedback from most of the people in my life, both personal and professional. But some comments have been a little, um, awkward. One woman at work today greeted me enthusiastically and proclaimed "You cut your hair!" and after I affirmed her observation, she just continued smiling and said nothing else. Hmm. A couple of other people have gone on and on--profusely--about how fantastic I look..."like a whole new person!" Which begs the question: "Was the old look that bad?"

You all can judge for yourself: