As pointed out, this, in some jurisdictions wouldn't raise an eyebrow! However, in his local situation, this was probably just a bit "in your face", as it were, with regard to the local populace who do seem to have a small tendency towards begrudgery!! Perhaps a little more circumspection would have been a better idea!
Other than that, perhaps this thought applies here:-
"Old men love to give good advice when no longer able to give bad example!"