Umm, nice thought, but I don't think so. I've only met him twice so far, but I'm sure he's meant to be a Good Guy.

Exactly! If it had been written thirty years ago, it could have been overlooked as a sign of the times.
This book was published in 2013.

That's unfortunate. As to it possibly being an opportunity to show a character in a negative way, it's not, because the 'joke' goes on for too long and it seems everyone present enjoys it. No one gives a thought or comments on how inappropriate it is (or expresses discomfort---I was made quite uncomfortable). I think it considers itself a 'clever' scene. :-/