And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dare
Disturb the sound of silence.
Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel - The Sound Of Silence

8 million people living separate lives, making 8 million journeys each day. 8 million voices go unheard while 8 million lives face dissimilar destinies.

This is the reality that faces those of us living in London, Europe’s biggest city and the 9th largest in the world.

Like most major cities, London is a giant metropolis that offers a rich history, cultural variety, a cosmopolitan vibe and an ever growing centre for trends and fashion. And like most cities, London has a relatively high crime rate, its pace is fast, and generally people can be closed, aggressive, withdrawn and even angry. Living in London does not necessitate that we speak to one another unless we have to, and with the advent of ever increasing personal audio technology in the form of iPods or cellphones, this isolation and silence is only deepened.

During my time in London, I have found that Big city living offers a myriad of cultures and spoken tongues, but there is one universal form of communication among us all - the quick glare of the eyes that signifies “Leave me alone!” or “Get out of my way!”. Though culturally diverse, London is a giant hub of many sub-cultures where people stick to their own group of friends, thus coming across as closed and highly cynical to a potential newcomer. And despite its immensity and throngs of people that crowd the streets, it is becoming widely regarded as a lonely city amongst ex-Pats from far and wide.

Many South Africans I have spoken to, confess to me how they spend their weekends alone and withdrawn in their box rooms. In spite of their rewarding jobs and financial security, their lives lack richness and warmth, and as South Africans, we have become accustomed to the closeness and community that the our countrymen offer back home.

In spite of the above generalisation, many Londoners cherish their lives in the “Big Smoke” as it’s affectionately called. They have challenging careers, an exciting social life and constantly engage themselves in the opportunities that surround them. They go to galleries and museums, they can have meals from any region imaginable, they take dance classes, Tai Chi or Yoga, not to mention concerts and free lectures on Egyptology. They literally spend each of their 7 day week doing something fun, engaging and different. So it’s only fair to ask: Is city life lonely? Or can one shift their perspective and attitude to make the most of where they live? The question is why are more and more people finding big city life unfulfilling and gloomy?

I would say the answer lies in our socialisation. People in cities are generally more stressed and cautious than us Southern hemisphere dwellers are. They can be closed and reluctant to start new friendships. However, this does not mean that they are not human. It’s just that their shells are thicker than average, and thus require a harder tap to crack. Ultimately, it’s the people that define the location. As the old saying goes, if you want to better your world, better yourself.

“Its is time to explore the city and find that love for it that drew you here...”

Breaking out of this isolation is so important to us saffers who first arrive in London. Loneliness is a hard emotion to bear, as inherently human beings are social creatures. It is time to break the mould my fellow lonely people and not let this city crawl into our bones - rendering you an antisocial single-minded fiend, bent only on economic sufficiency.

Its is time to explore the city and find that love for it that drew you here in the first place. My father often recites Samuel Johnson’s famous quote of “If you are tired of London you are tired of life” to me and this becomes my new inner monologue, which takes free reign over my brain as I step out of the tube station and behold the dazzling lights of the city before me - luring me to uncover its many mysteries.