Mexican Culture in the UK
Although traditionally the United Kingdom has not been a popular destination for Mexicans living abroad, the number of Mexican citizens living in the country has been steadily increasing over the past few years. According to the census data for 2011, there are over 4,000 Mexican citizens currently living in the United Kingdom. Most of them are based in the Greater Manchester area, Yorkshire, the Midlands, Cambridgeshire, Surrey, and London. There are also growing numbers of Mexican citizens living in Brighton, Hampshire, and Suffolk, and a large percentage of those (around 40 per cent) are students.
In terms of economic ties, the figures show that Mexico and the United Kingdom have had a strong business relationship for at least a decade. According to officials working for the UK Trade and Investment Department, in 2008 the commercial relationship between both countries generated revenues in excess of £2 billion. The most recent bilateral trade agreement (signed in 2011) is expected to rise that figure to £4.2 billion by 2015.
It is reasonable to anticipate that stronger business relationships between both countries will bring an increased need to be familiar with Mexican culture. In fact, being knowledgeable about Mexican customs and traditions can be helpful not only to business people, but also to tourists or those who deal with Mexican customers or partners on a regular basis. This article aims to present an overview of the most important aspects of Mexican culture with a focus on the UK.