Yes, each to their own. The OP may just have been unlucky, or may have been hoping for something else entirely. I've had the weight of expectation tarnish what turned out to be the reality before, many a time. I can't offer even a passing opinion on Brazil myself, having never visited.

The cities in India were some of the filthiest places I've ever been to, then and subsequently. It can take some getting used to, and I couldn't agree more with you about personal space being non existent at times.

Some areas of Delhi and Calcutta in particular were a big shock to the system for 19 or 20 year old me, more used to life in rural England. It somehow didn't matter after a little while; I mean it couldn't be ignored, but the demeanour of the people even in the face of huge adversity was nothing short of inspiring. And they seemed genuinely nice; not like the fake nice that you can see through in busier parts of Thailand, for example.

I never, ever felt unsafe in India, which I can't say for many other places I've had the pleasure to visit. I'm not the human race's biggest fan on the whole, but India was special in a way that made me feel invigorated, yet humbled. The people were an enormous part of that. I also found some of the most wonderful solitude in areas of India and Nepal too. Entirely depends on where and when you go, of course.

There's a few countries that I wouldn't jump to the defence of. India's an old friend though. I fell in love with that country and its people. I'd never put someone off from spending some time there as it's proved one of my most treasured traveling experiences. YMMV, as they say.

Anyways, I digress from the OP's post...