[Avodah] what was he thinking?

[David Riceman]

  I attended a wedding this afternoon, and I, along with a local rabbi, 
was an eid for the tenaim.  I wanted him to sign first because he's a 
synagogue rabbi, and (I kid you not) he wanted me to sign first because 
my beard is whiter than his.  Finally he asked me if I'm a talmid hacham 
[sic], I said no (truthfully), and he signed first.

I am puzzled, however, since even a real talmid hachamim is permitted to 
deny being one, and what kind of red blooded American would miss the 
chance to legally lie to an authority figure like a synagogue rabbi? Is 
there anyone who would answer yes to that question? What was he thinking?

David Riceman