Definately no doubt about it, long hair takes a lot of effort when you're used to short hair. I've got to wash and groom my hair every day no question IF i'm going outside (IE every day =) otherwise it'll be very messy. I'm not so bothered about how it looks to other people if its messy, it just feels greasy, tangled and unmanagable when its dirty, and I hate that. But once you've had long hair for a while, I mean, your life just includes whatever routines you need to keep it clean doesn't it? Women have had long hair all their lives! Yeah short hair is easy to maintain, but long hair is worth it, at least to me.
I'm not concerned with 'looking metal' as it were, although it obviously means that as a result of having long hair, but its also the fact that i've never actually liked how I looked with short hair. So I let it grow and the longer it grows, the more I like how I look myself. I actually think I look sexier with long hair, and it suits me better than short hair ever could....at least while i'm younger anyway. I also love how it feels when its all clean and luvvurly. No doubt about it, long hair makes me feel good and look good!! =D