Short bars... yes or no

No, ride whatever bars you want, with your hands in any position you want. It doesn't make you a cretin.

However, whenever I see someone riding on tops (and I mean from lycra clad roadie to mountain bikers), I can't help but think "rank amateur". It's the equivalent of people who drive cars with their hands at 10 and 2.

Cretinous? no.
Don't know how to ride properly? yes.

What complete bollocks!
Why the hell do you think road bars have progressed to have the tops shaped to be more comfortable when riding on them?
Cretin!