I think it would be okay today because you dressed up like a character not a gender. I think if you went simply as a man some might think you're trying to stir up a debate or something.

Yeah, I mean we're only hearing OP's side. If in real life the guy said "hey this was my dad's, it means something to me," and OP pressed on anyway then I would get the grudge. Or maybe if he said something really, really, out of pocket like you mentioned.

But I mean, as with all internet stories, there's no way of knowing.

Sounds like you have moved onto better things, though. Good for you, that's what matters now.

There was a celebrity who talked about this.

They mentioned how stressful fame can be because fans will always remember their two second encounter with you. So if they catch you on a bad day or didn't see/hear them and think you're brushing them off... that becomes their story of how "X" celebrity Is a total asshole in real life.

I dunno, based on this I'm with you. It sounds like you were being light hearted at a light hearted event. I wouldn't want to be friends with someone so ungracious and judgemental that they hold a weird, seething, grudge for a year over a joke about something I didnt know was sentimental to them. People need to chill out.