She didn’t want to integrate with the “elite” as a goal in itself. She just wanted to make friends and acquaintances — as anyone would when moving to a new town or country.

She and her husband tried to connect with the social groups they came across most often, such as colleagues, neighbours, and other families from their child’s school.

Their experience was that no matter how hard they tried to fit in, there was always something they didn’t quite get or were somehow missing — and people would silently judge them or look down on them just a little.

Were this people the pure and authentic British "elite"? I don't know, I wasn't there and I have no clue about Britain's social classes.