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