Some people dont like strats because they all sound the same. Now granted Les Pauls all sound pretty much the same too.
But Strats have a very bluesy common sound that is reconizable almost instantly. I love Stevie Ray, and Hendrix, but I dont want to sound like them. I am drawn to a thicker more Les Paul tone and I'd bet Joe B is too.
Its nothing personal to your tastes. I just dont like them. I prefer Telecasters and Jazzmasters. Hell I'd say the Strat one of my least favorite Fenders. Its nothing against you though.
Oh yeah, That thing about hands being to small for a Les Paul....
Les Pauls come with the 60's style neck. Its very thin. I play a 58 reissue which is a base ball bat and I have very small hands. The smaller scale helps and makes it very easy to play. The 25 inch scale on strat makes it very hard to play on the lower frets on a strat for short fingered people.
Its much easier to play a Les Paul. But thats just my humble opinion.