Is it normal to live in London for 60 years and not more than 2 non-white friends?

[MareofBeasttown]

I am Indian and new to the UK. I was reading Lucy Kellaway's new book Reeducated, and mostly enjoying it ( am a fan of her work). But then rather thrown by this paragraph where she says she has lived in London all her life but never had more than 2 or 3 non-white, non Oxbridge friends! Find this incredibly strange, especially as I have only been here a year and already have friends of all races ( perhaps because I have been actively looking and can't think of anything more boring than sticking with your own race). I do find that well-intentioned people are constantly recommending Indian things and Indian clubs to me. I didn't come here to stick with my 'tribe' though.

I find it creepy that someone would actively approach people to befriend them based on their race, yes

can't think of anything more boring than sticking with your own race

I also think this is creepy

I don't actively approach people based on race! I did join a social group which has a number of people of different races and different interests: book club, walking group, local history etc. It was suggested that I join groups connected to my nationality, but it seems odd to me to live in a multicultural city like London and deliberately stick to my own race.

This was a great thread, @MareofBeasttown and I am glad @Edmontine articulated its importance so well. I would love to be your friend if I didn’t have two very young children daily conspiring to wreck my social life.

It’s people without friends I find creepy @mustlovegin

Lucy Kellaway must be loving this thread as I have just bought her book!

My dad only mixes with people who are family and very close family friends they are all south Asians apart from partners. Many he grew up with and they all emigrated at different times. When he came here he was supported by his community I see this still happens but we are more inclusive as a society now

Actually, DS (now at university) had lots of friends from different cultural backgrounds at secondary school but perhaps more likely than for most as a good 50% (possibly higher) of the intake of boys was Asian. His student friendship group isn't anywhere near as diverse BUT he's at a university in a very white part of England. Conversely DD who is at an equally diverse school (although not as Asian an intake) has a much more white British friendship group (for no apparent reason in particular).