> I bet they felt that later, in the hotel room, in the shower, probably with a bottle of scotch.

Geez, life in my opinion is not so serious. It’s okay to say stupid things and not feel bad about it, as long as you are not trying to hurt anyone.

I bet they felt great and immediately forgot about this bad joke.

Their joke could have also been interpreted as sarcasm and when you’re going to be sarcastic you want to be doubly sure that you’re correct.

But I also concur with you that it is good to bring some levity to “serious” conversations!!

Not in front of an executive of an important customer, it isn't. They are remarkably humorless about making money.