I'm not bothered at all by it. America doesn't really have a culture so when you see countries rich in culture you want to talk about it. I went to Japan and when I came back all I could see is how rude people are. And loud. I'd much rather live in Japan or Europe. But that's just me.

No,she is right.I am sorry,but she is.You just cannot compare Spain's history with America's.Spain has a history for over thousands of years,and America has one since 1492.It's nothing personal,but just the truth.
And also about the people.There you just don't see everybody with their phones talking every single minute.So,Gwen is right.

What about a choice for people who really don't care what GOOP thinks?

i agree with the above comments. coming from someone born and raised in Europe, trust me when I say that life is very different over there, good and bad.
and in terms of history and culture, there can't really be a comparison. its the new world vs. the old world, too different to compare but each with its own richness.

What's so terrible about that comment? In fact, she's absolutely correct! I was born and raised in NYC, but spent years traveling and living all over Europe. The atmosphere there is so much more relaxed and laid-back... people focus more on their quality of life and well being as opposed to their paychecks and who has the hottest new phone.

I agree with her as well.

Thats her perspective, nothing wrong with that. I think she is also comparing New York and not so much America as a whole when she discusses the way people live. I don't live in a big city, I dont have a blackberry, I work with my family and I enjoy my life. Her comments dont reflect me but they do reflect some people. I think people may be reading too far into this one...

I don't mind her comment at all. I live in England and I find that she is totally correct.

I just don't care.

Her comment on the history is correct, though grossly exaggerated. I think when anyone travels they inherently see the wonderful and different things in other cultures and compare them to their home. Comparisons are not a bad thing. But I think we get such a romantic view of things when we're on vacation that we often don't see the reality.

SPAIN IS SO COOL... you can like with your parents until you're 35.. not by choice ... just because jobs and pay sucks.

her comments aren't that bad -they are the truth too. i think that people are over sensitive.

Not every place in America is like New York. There are plenty of laid-back historical places that aren't like the hustle and bustle of New York. I just don't understand why people don't start looking at the positive things this country has to offer instead of comparing it to every place you wish to live. Here's an idea: Just pick up and go. It's not that hard to move somewhere else. After living in other countries, I was always happy to come back to America. Not because I thought America was better or whatnot, but because I just felt at home being around so many different people and backgrounds.

"[Spain] is so different from the United States. It seemed to have a history, and the buildings are years and years and years old." Wow Gweneth, that's some insightful stuff. Obviously Spain has a longer, richer culture (not to mention older buildings) than the US! Any idiot knows that! These comments aren't offensive, they're just redundant. I hate to dislike her, but Gweneth tries so hard to sound deep and cultured and fails miserably over and over. Between her whacked out personal trainer, wildly unhealthy fasts and inane observations about the world she's becoming tough to take.

She's entitled to her opinion and I don't think there is anything offensive about it. Spain has been around a lot longer then the U.S. we're a young country.

Usually I just can't stand Gwyneth Paltrow but I don't think this is such a big deal. Are other gossip and entertainment sites also posting this?

She isn't very articulate about it. I'm kind of a fan of architecture. She is wrong about the "17 years" reference. If you are in New England or the southeast they have building that go back to English settlement and in New England you have amazing federalist homes as well. If you go to the south west there is a huge history of Mexican and Native American architecture.

But that's not what she is talking about...she just isn't very articulate or as intellectual as she would like to be. If she were critizing the US (which I don't think she is) she would fail at that too.

And she's right about Spain! I'm Latina and since Spain was an imperialist power for a time (like England) they brought some of that culture to the Americas.

Gwen is a snob though...she probably doesn't think twice about Native Americans, Mexicans or other Latinos (great, now I feel horrible for making a generalization...maybe she's nicer than I think?)

My thing is that she probably doesn't connect Spain to the US...and the Spanish settled Florida, South Carolina, Mexico, Colorado and a whole lot in between.

I hope no one is asking me to take offense because as badly as she is wording herself she makes a point that we don't talk about.

Also, I agree with the first poster. Generally not such bad comments, and again I don't like Gwyneth Paltrow.

She's also rich so I'm sure life is significantly better no matter where she goes.

I'd love to pick up and go. But it's not that simple. Getting a work visa alone let alone getting green cards. I see my brother in law going through so much crap. He married my sister here and they're still doing paperwork a year later. Plus it's expensive. But that's our goal later in life is to move to a different country.

Why should America be offended? She is telling the truth

"Gweneth tries so hard to sound deep and cultured and fails miserably over and over. Between her whacked out personal trainer, wildly unhealthy fasts and inane observations about the world she's becoming tough to take."

- This is what I was trying to say and I agree.

What she's saying is true - except we do have buildings that are hundreds of years old.
Amanda-LA - I have to disagree with you, America has plenty of culture. How can anyone say America has "no" culture? That's absurd. I am 1/2 American Indian, and personally find that extremely insulting. Many American's are too wrapped up in $$$, work, possesions and "tomorrow" to realize that there is art, music, customs and beauty that originated here and is all around us.

That's one of the sacrifices you make in moving to a new country. I have so many friends and family members that go through paper work every year, but they would not sacrifice it for how happy they are living in this country.

Go somewhere that you don't need a work visa...

She is RIGHT!

Ok HOLD ON! America has a WHITE EURO-CENTERED history that dates back to 1492. What about the native people that lived in North America before Christopher Columbus showed up? They did not build permanent structures, but they do have a legacy.

I love Europe and it's history too, but IMO Gwennie is a snob, and that's her choice.

Well anonymous I'm part indian as well. Don't take offense. It's difficult to make a comment without people picking it apart. Sorry to offend you.

And ultimately my point is that there are so many mixing cultures that we don't have a definitive culture. That's a better way of putting it.

if you'd been in both places, you'd know that she's right and that it isn't talking bad about the US, just pointing out differences in the culture. that's all.

To whoever said "Spain has been around a lot longer than the U.S." - That's not true. When America was "discovered" by Europeans it was already inhabited by natives.

If she talking about USA she is right, now America is a continent and we have history, culture and "old buildings" too.

Yea Spain is great. 18% unemployment (projected to 23%). People have plenty of opportunity to spend time with their family. They aren't working.
I'm fairly disgusted with the general (left) attitude of putting down the U.S.

No, it's all true!!! Are you bothered Pop?

Eh she's an idiot. Whatever.

She's 100% right.
@splork: 18% unemployment would be astronomical if we're talking about the US, but Spain always has a high unemployment rate. Yes, it is fairly high for the country at the moment, but the rate is normally around 14%.

You should learn a bit of country-specific macroeconomics before making such bold statements.

@7R: Unless spanish if your first language, "America" is NOT a continent. It is a country.

Living in England and having gone to Sapin at least 12 times in my life. I have to agree with her. People in Europe love to live life, she's spot on

She is absolutely correct. There is nothing controversial about what she says; it is a fact that Spain has more history and that it's culture is slower paced and more pleasure-centered. It really makes America look ridiculous to get offended at facts.

Then again, she might be reffering just to NYC. Surely there's some places in America were peple are relaxed

She's actually right about what she's saying. Not to diss America, I'm a citizen, but most countries in the world are a lot more lively and cultural than the U.S.
Here people are so caught up in their jobs and day to day routines...sorry to say they don't quite enjoy life as much. My family's from another country and my parents always complain about how everything feels kind of dead here- not much going on, everyone just minding their own business all the time.
As far as culture goes, most countries are very unique and even different regions of a country have their own sense of culture. Here, there is a little bit of that but for the most part it pretty cookie-cutter and mass-produced. It doesn't matter if you're in New York, California, Texas, Ohio, whatever...every town has a McDonalds, Starbucks, etc, everyone dresses the same, same language throughout...its kind of boring. There is also a lot more emphasis on family and social life. In most countries, you wouldn't get by just living in seclusion like many can here.
Obviously there are also a lot of positives in the U.S which is why so many people come here, but as far as the country to concerned culturally, socially and in terms of liveliness, it is pretty lifeless. And this is the kind of thing someone can notice only if they've spent time in other places around the world.

Her comments are inane and banal, as usual, but I love how she always behaves as though she's weighing in as the sage of our times. Jane Austen would have had a field day with this moron.

America IS a contenent, NORTH AMERICA that includes Canada.

Amanda-La - Thanks, I just get frustrated when people make that comment. But don't you think the mixture of people is a huge part of what represents our current culture? That's part of the allure of the states. And while we may not have the same history of Spain, we have more diverse opportunities here than any other country in the entire world. Especially for women.

Also, while I think Spain is just amazingly beautiful and the people are very relaxed, a lot of them are "old school". They are not always open to a different way of living or thinking. They are not as accepting of different lifestyles as Americans tend to be.

There is nothing wrong with what she said. It's true.
America, as North America (or South) is a continent but it's also being used in reference to United States of America. But as Gwyneth is clearly saying "United States" what is the problem?

My only problem is, like kclulu pointed out, Gwyneth seems to want to be referring to they way people in NYC live as the way people throughout the U.S. live.

That and the fact that the 17-years-old comment is ridiculous!

#39 I agree with you

Who cares? It's her opinion.

I have to say that when I read her comments, I couldn't help but laugh. I'm fairly sure anyone with a brain (or who has visited GOOP) has realized by now that G-Palt is a huge snob, and she simply comes off as asinine when she puts out statements like this.

I grew up traveling around the country and abroad, and I'm not unique in thinking that every country has it's own cultural and historical contributions. Every country, city, town is different but what makes something significant to one person might not resonate as much with someone else. If she can't see that, that's her own issue. As for no buildings being more than 17 years old, I understand she was likely exaggerating but again I just can't help but laugh b/c it makes her sound like a tool.

#42 Yes I do agree with you. There are advantages here as well.

She needs to get out of those big cities! For example, the Missions in San Antonio are beautiful and way older than 17 years! She is entitled to her opinion but she needs to get all the facts and explore the U.S. more.

North America = USA,Canada,Mexico&20 other countries
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_North_American_countries