I'm one of those beginners who bought a big telescope (16 inch Dob) first off. I don't regret my decision at all but it is my first year and I've only had it out a dozen times in the 3 to 4 months I've had it. I guess I should just stick it in the shed now and forget about it for a couple of years.
Seriously, after 3 months of research (recommended) it was the best scope to suit my needs, budget, physique and circumstances. I could have gone bigger but didn't want to stand on a ladder or pay big money. I could have gone smaller but the $$$ savings and slightly better convenience in storage and transport didn't make sense as opposed to getting the biggest aperture practical. I could have bought a GOTO (almost did) but less electronics meant more aperture for less $$$ and it forced me to learn the night sky and I'm enjoying that aspect of it tremendously. I didn't want to do Astrophotography as I don't think I could compete with Hubble so a Dob was the logical choice instead of a SCT.
It's horses for courses I guess. Forums such as these were a great help to me because I didn't have access to star parties and a large variety of telescopes but did do a community college astronomy course to whet my appetite.
I also notice that the slightly larger Dobs 10" - 12" sell a lot quicker in the classifieds then the abundant small ones people are selling in order to upgrade (just my observations made earlier in the year).
Anyway my advice is to research your choices as much as you can. I'm a relative newbie so my advice may not be worth much but I feel you shouldn't be shamed into buying a smaller scope you may be unhappy with just because that's what beginners are expected to do. If you still feel passionate that this hobby is for you after researching your options for 2 to 3 months then get a decent scope and eyepieces. If after that time the passion has waned (lunar pun intended) then maybe a smaller less capable scope is the go to ease you into it.
Like most things in life I believe you get what you pay for but I also acknowledge that an average tool in an expert's hands is superior to an exceptional tool in a novices hands (think sumurai swords for this one). I just don't know why we can't learn with an exceptional tool
It's got to be less fustrating dosen't it.