It'll get to the stage soon where you can't say anything funny without a post following it stating facts as to why you can't this post this or thats factually wrong.
Are you on some sort of mission to be portrayed as the man who must point out things out Phil?
It was a joke, a joke I probably would have made as well. Think of it in a different light...
If I walked past Darren or any of the lads tonight I might say (whilst laughing) "bloody hell, you lads will do anything to get out of paying a tenner". Pretty sure they'd laugh and say" there must be easier ways etc" and life would move on. I don't they would see it as an attack on the whole setup of stewards and the family unit.
I have mates who are students. If they didn't get up until 2 one day when they had nothing to do..I might Say "you lazy b*astard, have you just got up" i wouldn't expect a detailed reply on how students as a whole are studious at this faculty or that faculty.
Don't appoint yourself as the man who must kill every joke dead and you might start to not be as "deeply pissed off" as you are now.