Am I being elitist? Honest question.

[HakuroDK]

You are giving good advice there. There's a certain skill to phrasing advice in such a way that you do not come across as an elitist. It's easier to sound superior and being hard on somebody than it is to sound like you are being sincerely helpful.

This, so much. Phrasing and tact are key when giving advice and not coming across as condescending.