HE WILL SHOW OFF FOR HER UNTIL SHE IS IMPRESSED. Seriously, the condescension just makes Tony want to prove her wrong. He may be overall rather nice, but if someone tells him he can't do things he just has to do them. Besides, Shockwave and Orion are energy experts. He needs to test his mettle against them. :D

Maturity of a twelve year old. That's Tony. He both looks up to them and wants to prove himself against them. And childishly impressing Shockwave will validate his genius. So there's always that.

BUT YES TELL HIM THEY ARE REALLY GIANT ROBOTS. TELL HIM. SHOW HIM MORE THINGS!