Well, speaking in general terms, op is absolutely right and I completely agree, atleast, I've had several typical experiences where I refer some of my friends to invest in some Altcoins I have high regard or trust on, which I too have invested heavily on as well, but at the end of the day, price went down way below their entry price, and that made me feel very bad because I felt I disappointed them.
Bitcoin is always a sure plug, one where anyone can hardly lose money if they are patient enough, but then, reason why I don't usually recommend investing in bitcoin to some friends is if and when they are coming into crypto through me, and the money they want to invest is very small, like let's say $50 or less, I usually will prefer them to invest such amount in a good Altcoin, but before then, I usually let them know the risk involved in investing in Altcoins, and as well as Bitcoin, then they make their choice themself, this way, even if I myself feel bad that the investment has not turn out the way I thought it should have, they themselves wont blame me cus I warned them of the risk involved with investing in Altcoin, and they choose to themselves.