I've been reading the flack going back to Macroni, most of it is undeserved IMHO. This guy walks up to a total stranger in a Walmart and annouces MM is his cousin. He has to be ready for anyhting that may come back at him. Yes he probably wont do that again.
If you were in a social setting as members of some set (Wedding, group, etc.,) then it would be extremely rude. Why MM chose to leave Buffalo was because his kids were being chided and threatened, now that was rude. I would have left Buffalo as well if my kids were being pestered at school.