I remember a segment from the Justice League: New Frontier movie (didn't really like it all that much, but it had its moments), where Batman -- early in his career, definitely pre-Robin -- goes to save a kid from kidnappers... and he terrifies and freaks out the kidnappers, sure enough, but he also terrifies and freaks out the kid, who refuses to be rescued by this scary man who's probably ten times worse than the kidnappers.
Batman very obviously regrets this, and the next time we see him he's changed his costume for a slightly less intimidating one and is working with the ever-cheerful Robin. Superman comments on the change, and Batman says something about how there's a difference between frightening the villains you go after and frightening the innocents you're supposed to protect.
Which kinda makes sense. I think I'd like Batman more if fans and creators didn't constantly harp on and on about how awesome he is and how he can do anything... and how "I'm Batman" is apparently the most incredibly brilliant thing anyone can ever say. *sigh*