I would say 38mm is pretty dinky these days. Look at what's coming out from the major watch houses, 40mm-41mm is about average, and above 43mm is where 'large' kicks in. I'm running an Eterna Kontiki Bronze (44m) as an everyday watch at the moment, doesn't feel or look particularly big on a 20cm wrist.
It ain't 1950 any more (or, indeed, 1980). Or maybe we just have lots of little people on the forum!