Gywneth's 'Brits are more civilised' comment angers the folks back home

 Add your view

Once she complained about the British weather. Another time she complained about British men.

But it seems American actress Gwyneth Paltrow is finally warming to life in London.

She says dinner party chat here is far more interesting, intelligent and civilised than back at home.

It's a declaration that has gone down rather badly in America. The 34-year-old Oscar winner, who has lived in London since marrying Coldplay frontman Chris Martin three years ago, said: 'I love the English lifestyle, it's not as capitalistic as America.

'People don't talk about workand money, they talk about interesting things at dinner.

'I like living here because I don't fit into the bad side of American psychology. The British are much more intelligent and civilised than the Americans.'

Last night, as her comments were reported in her homeland, Americans called chat shows and radio phone-ins to express their disgust at her 'betrayal'.

'If she feels that way we are far better off without her,' said one commentator. A disgruntled caller added: 'She sounds like she thinks she's better than us.

'We are better off if she stays across the Atlantic. We don't need her here.'

Miss Paltrow, who once complained at length about the British weather, was speaking to NS, the weekend magazine supplement of daily Portuguese newspaper Diario de Noticias.

She said having another American – Madonna – living in London had been a great help to her. 'She's like an older sister,' said Miss Paltrow.

'Everything I have gone through, she went through ten times worse and ten times longer. She gives me good advice about how to say no and take care of myself.'

Although Miss Paltrow did not specify what she was saying 'no' to, it is known she favours a strict macrobiotic diet.

It means a large proportion of her diet is made up of wholegrains, vegetables and fish, and she is not allowed to consume meat, dairy products, processed foods, alcohol or caffeine.

Miss Paltrow, who was born in Los Angeles, once found fault with British men, but a year later, married Chris Martin.

And two years ago she told the U.S. edition of Marie Claire that the streets of London were dirty, customer service was just rubbish' and the weather was 'cold and depressing'.

Despite this, Miss Paltrow and her husband have settled in North London with their daughter Apple, two, and son Moses, eight months. She will be pleased to know that not everyone in America was displeased with her latest comments.

A British expatriate rang in to one programme to say: 'Quite frankly, she's only stating the obvious, as anyone who has spent a long time in the United States can testify.'

 

What's on today   What's on tomorrow

Receive our newsletter