Actually he is 100% right. It's a different cultural behaviour in Europe. In the last 15 years I visited most of Europe and major cities of the world and the mentality is definitely different. Americans are more optimistic than Europeans and they see risk differently. Also, take into account the past, the living standards during the course of history.

While americans were chilling in the 80s and 90s, many countries of Europe were facing communism. People had a harsh life, the parents-grandparents had it, so of course they're not gonna have a Peter Thiel mentality when they don't even know how to shut down a PC. Some countries have an avg. salary of 200$. What the hell are you gonna buy with that? And I'm talking 2013 not 1990. So it's not like they're gonna tell their kids "sure son, after I worked at a farm all my life for 200$/month I strongly believe you'll make an 80 bill.$ company out of a damn computer. Let me go grab my savings and good luck!".

Too much to talk about but europeans know what I mean.