I agree, that it comes down to personal preference. Some like flat bars some like drops. I originally started commuting on a hybrid but sold it for a road bike with drop bars. I ended up with two road bikes, a steel cyclocross bike with fenders and racks for wet weather and a higher end carbon fiber bike for nice weather and those days when I take the "long way" to work. It's possible some cyclists see me riding my carbon fiber bike and think, dude, that's for racing, what are you doing commuting on that? I don’t care what anyone thinks, it puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. Find a bike that makes you smile.