It's what he likes best about Sam; Sam knows to play along, and it's a short list of people who actually look past the surface with Rhodey. He expects it's a short list of people who look past the surface in general, though, so he can't really blame them particularly.

"Dude, you don't even have the right ears. Without that you're a mangy dumpster cat who'll probably break into the kibble at first shot." Rhodey, come on, you're just describing your sometime college roommate. No, not Tony. "I'm fresh out of paint, but I guess I could help you down instead."