Cultural Diversity in London

Culturally, London comes into its own; it would beevery possible culture and sub-culture imaginable,
difficult to find any culture not representedas well as to every generation. There is,
somewhere in the busy streets and quiet suburbshowever, still a very authentic taste of British
of London. The streets swarm with a multitude ofLondon to be had in the innumerable pubs which
people of different ages, races and cultures.are found all over the city. Some of the pubs are
Moody Goth teenagers with their electric pinkso traditional in fact that it can be quite a
striped hair and black clothes mingle easily in thedisconcerting experience to walk in and face the
markets of Camden Town and Covent Gardenalmost hostile stares of elderly regulars who have
with wrinkly Japanese grandfathers, enthusiasticbeen faithful patrons since their coming of age.
tourists and local Londoners. Tired businessmenEven the most traditional of pubs, however, will
walk the same streets as new-age hippies andoften reflect a tiny portion of the cultural diversity
chattering groups of excited Asian school-girls.of London in its menu; the British favourite of fish,
More than three hundred different languages arechips and mushy peas will usually be offered on
spoken in London on a daily basis, and everythe same page as lasagne, spaghetti or pizza. The
sub-culture in the city is represented by its ownhistoric monuments such as Marble Arch, Nelson's
speciality shops, restaurants and fashion stores.Column, the Mall and the statue of Anteros in
Not only is there a variety of contrasting racesPiccadilly Circus are all inarguably British, but
and nationalities living in London, but differentcoexist peacefully with the swarms of brief
generations as well. The disparity in culturehumanity gathered from all around the world.
between classes and generations of the sameWith such a wide diversity of ages, races, colours
nationality are as great, or even greater than theand cultures, it is impossible to name them all. The
cultural distinctions between diverse nationalities.only thing you can be sure of is that whether
Entire sections of London suburbia have becomevisiting London as a tourist or relocating, there will
known for their sub-cultures. Raynes Park, foralready be a thriving group of fellow countrymen
example, is almost exclusively South African, whileand women living somewhere in the city, claiming
Chinatown is the centre for Chinese shopping,a little part of London as their own. If you want
although no longer residential. There are numerousto visit London precisely to get away from your
Eastern-European restaurants, clubs, churches andfellow countryfolk and see the British London, this
events all over London and whatever youris not a problem either. London is so vast that
gastronomic tastes, there will be an appropriateyou will always be able to find the niche you want
restaurant to satisfy your hunger.to experience.
The entertainment areas of London cater to