A friend - female, white, blonde - while in india on a business trip had to deal with inapprorpaite behavior including individuals visibly touching themselves inappropriately...not my jam.

I spent 6 weeks in India, mostly for work, but also ventured out quite a bit. I didn't really have any major issues and would go back. That said, I wasn't in any of the major tourist areas. My cousin has also started going there for work more recently and has enjoyed it a lot. I was little more nervous for her as a woman going by herself.

But to your point, when I think about it, I do hear a lot of negative things from others. A lot of people tried to talk me out of going there, but none of them had actually been there. The negative stuff I've heard about Egypt has all been from people who have been there.

I’ve been to two cities in Brazil and had no issues whatsoever. I’m sure it happens, but no one tried to rob us or scam us.

Eh. I concede that there are a ton of scammers in the tourist areas.

However, I think a lot of people used to the manners of the West really struggle with Egypt’s (admittedly, exhausting) haggling culture.

https://youtube.com/shorts/iCInGp4cxhc

i guess you might be ok if you are cocooned in a safe travel group. I travel more independently, freely and let things come to me. Going on planned group iternary isnt much of an interest for me at the moment.