I think it has to do with wanting to be equal to you. The professor attacks your inferior coat with the words he lives by, but what he really wants to do is to be admired by you, who I assume is ravishingly beautiful, someone he wants to sleep with. The twenty-something attacked you for something they were afraid would happen to them, someone, who could never organize such an event. You were in charge. Maybe, they wanted to be in your position, but were taking the short cut. I think it’s all related to them and their sense of inadequacy. They want something that you have.