AIBU to think this man's comment was unnecessary and rude.

[AmberStClare]

Having a Sunday afternoon stroll by the river locally and passed a man then drew level with two women with a couple of dogs. One of the women turned and started to say something to me then called back to the man laughing saying she thought I was him. He shouted back 'Good lord no, I am better looking than that'. I stopped, turned round and glared at him and said to watch it as I might feel tempted to push him in the river. Why are some men so pitiful?

I thought the British excelled at irony. Evidently not?!

Thankfully most of us still do.

But this is Mumsnet, where even just smiling at someone can apparently cause deep offence.

Sounds like he was being quick witted and self-deprecating.
But you came across as a bit thick and aggressive.

I know which I find more attractive!

IDK...what if OP said her response with a smile - then it would have been a funny reaction to his quip.

Oops, reread OP's post. I think a surprised look and a laugh would have been better.

How could it have been a joke against himself?

He said he's much better looking than the OP. That's not self-deprecating.

Insomniac because he so obviously wasn't good looking he was clearly being ironic about his own looks and hence the joke was about him, not OP.

Where did you go for your sense of humour bypass?

Yes, I'd have laughed & said something like 'Only in your dreams'.

Nothing fucking 'tinkly' about it.

Ltb

Let it go. It really isn't worth the effort. He was an ass; they were stupid. People are weird, but not worth getting your feathers ruffled about.