I'll give a vote for something short! My hair was halfway down my back, and while I thought it was very pretty, it was also very much work and kind of got in my way. I chopped it all off about a year ago and have been keeping in short, in an A-line style. I love it, easy to take care of and cute. Plus, for rounder faces (which i definitely have lol) a short cut that frames the face can be slimming.
I have had luck going to a somewhat nicer place and saying - Do whatever you want! I have had bad luck with it too though, so if you're not very adventurous it may not be a good idea.