I can't decide if this is a humble brag or very backhanded compliment.
Either way, the message is clear... Europeans are naturally endowed with taste and sophistication! :-o
European deca-millionares*. I took it as commentary on class mobility, or the lack thereof.
That's not my read of it at all. You could make the exact same comment without any mention of Europe -- it's pretty unlikely that a hedge fund manager in NY would hear that comment from someone in their social circle.
It's a genuine compliment! Sophistication is great, but not when it's mostly aimed at increasing social status, which is a zero sum game. Like how mkipper read it.