What It's Like To Be Amish

What with being such a private, insular community, many people are curious about the Amish lifestyle and beliefs system. Leaving the Amish faith is extremely hard on any individual who decides to become "English" (the Amish term for everyone who isn't Amish), but, fortunately, ex-Amish stories have provided us with a fascinating glimpse into the Amish way of life. To put it simply, people living in mainstream America would consider Amish laws and punishments to be harsh, but it’s important to note that not all Amish follow the same rules.

To see more 'Amish rules' on the list go here:

#Amish #breakingamish #weirdhistory

[KylesGuide]

I also live next to the Amish. As others have mentioned, they have modernized significantly with many owning woodworking businesses, contracting out as framers (in Southeastern PA, many framers are Amish) as well as owning and operating full-scale manufacturing companies. They also run all of the mud-auctions here, have eateries and generally provide many skilled labor services to the community. Just don't expect them to drive or own a pair of jeans.

[Kat-trig]

I was born and grew up near Holmes county, OH. We would visit the Amish community living here and buy wine, sausages, cheese, and other handmade things from them.
Fun fact- there are also Amish communities in Argentina, Bolivia, and Mexico.

[maud]

Their language is called Pennsylvania Dutch, but the language is in fact a form of German, not Dutch.
The only reason it is called Dutch is because in German and Amish the language is called "Deutch", which sounds like Dutch. So the contemporary neighbouring settlers started calling the Amish language "Dutch".. which in reality is the language spoken in Holland and Belgium

Edit: I know Holland is a province in the the Netherlands, but in English it is also one of the names of the country.

[eliyoder]

My old order Amish community in Kenton Ohio, did not allow a season of running around/Rumspringa and they refuse to fellowship with those type of Amish that allow their teenagers to run around and be exposed to the worldly things so therefore, I had to plan my escape secretly with a English person that was willing to agree to pick me up on a certain date and time without the Amish knowing

[roodynewbie]

Grew up and still live in central Pennsylvania. Absolutely familiar with everything talked about in this video. Accurate for the most part.

[adamirvinmusic]

As I walk through the valley where I harvest my grain, I take a look at my wife and realize she’s very plain!!!

[_ksm]

Growing up near Ohio’s amish country, I’m so used to the Amish that I forget they’re not just an everyday presence all over. I had friends from the west coast ask me 100 questions about what they’re like and demand photos at every opportunity.

[r.hill.]

I have never had any interaction with the Amish. However, living in Belize for 3 years brought me in close contact with the Mennonites. They are almost exclusively the nation's farmers, producers of dairy, and so forth. Many are contractors and like the Amish, there are exceptions for who uses modern tech. After hurricane Iris in 2001 decimated much of southern Belize, the Mennonite community descended en masse with fresh water, all manner of food, generators, 1st aid, and the list goes on.
They never asked for a dime in return. An amazing culture.

[trinaq]

Thanks for the history lesson, the extent of my knowledge of the Amish Community is "Witness" and Weird Al's "Amish Paradise!"

[MynameisInigoMontoya]

The only thing I struggle with is the limit to education at 8th grade. If they aren't allowed to choose to join the church/religion until pretty much adulthood, then why not wait until then to take away school? What if they don't want to be involved in the religion, then they are WAY behind with education and therefore careers. It seems to be a form of manipulation in a way. I'm all about different religious beliefs. My 3 boys have different views and I respect it, but I cannot imagine making them choose between my way or a harder life in the real world.

[TheClumsyJedi]

Only time I ever encountered the Amish in person was on a cross country train trip. It was a surprise for me, but they were all very quiet and respectful, and in turn I made sure not to take video of them, unsure of whether they allowed it or not. After reading about them my whole life, it blew my mind.

As for leaving technology behind...only while camping.

[markcampbell]

I went to high school in Indiana with a handful of ex-Amish kids. (Indiana also has a large Amish community) Academically and socially, they were far behind the rest of the student body. ….and they all shared the same last name, Yoder.

[hannakinn]

When I lived in Pennsylvania I lived in an area with Amish and Mennonite families. When I first moved there I thought it was odd to see Amish girls in their Amish dresses getting out of hired cars to hang out in the local Starbucks, they had smart phones and except for their dress they behaved like most young people, laughing, whispering, sharing stories. Watching TicTok. At first it was weird to see a group of Amish girls come out of a Starbucks with a drink in one hand and a smartphone in the other but after a time or two it was normal. After I retired I worked in a clothing store and Amish young and older women would come in to buy "English" clothes. A lot of the younger people wear some English clothes under their Amish clothing. The women, young and old, bought a lot of sexy undergarments, racy lacy stuff was popular, lol. I found out a lot of the Amish have smartphones which somehow in some groups doesn't break any rule if the rule against phones is viewed very literally exactly as stated. In some groups the rule against phones is only against landlines, wired phones. Some older people will have a landline phone in an outbuilding because the rule is against having it in their home and the outbuilding isn't their home. Some Amish use solar lights in their homes, they're not wired to electric lines and safer than oil lamps or candles. I loved the food in the Amish restaurants and there were wonderful Amish foods and snacks at the local farmer's market. Whoopie pies are super yummy. Amish style stewed chicken over big fluffy Belgium style waffles is awesome. I found the Amish and Mennonites in the area I lived in to be much more normal than I expected. The Amish and Mennonites were polite, nice, easy going, happy people, quite different than what I expected. The mothers were very nice and attentive to the children and the children were very well behaved in public. The men were polite but they really primarily interacted with men, didn't go out of their way to talk with "English" women. I would hear them having good natured and conversations with "English" men. They're much more socially adept than how they're generally portrayed on TV and in the media. I'm not religious so that aspect of an Amish lifestyle doesn't appeal to me but the farm life, close family life and close community aspect of their lives was really appealing. I think a lot of the Amish are quite different from our image of them.

[batman]

I actually know quite a lot about the Amish because many of my neighbors are Amish. Many of my cabinets were custom build by the Amish. It’s a myth that the Amish don’t struggle with sin and immorality like other people. For example, the Amish man who built the cabinets for my kitchen had a drinking problem, falling behind in his work and schedule. I never thought I’d have to deal with an Amish man with a drinking problem, but life is full of strange surprises.

[joe_lubinda]

In Southern Africa we have the "Zezuru" aka African amish, they behave very similarly

[mej]

Our camp here in PA has an Amish home down the street. The home isn't connected to the grid but the woodshop is state of the art. Never understood how a lightbulb in the home isn't allowed but a 40ft lumber saw in the shop is.

[cadillacdeville]

Well this will be engaging as always.. there's a few Amish markets and not too far from me that I've been to before. Quality food.

[monicahyland]

I grew up in a small town in western New York (Stockton)and we have a very large community of Amish. I’ve actually gotten to ride in a Amish Buggy, we were at a wedding. The furniture they sell is amazing but expensive but it’s worth it, all hand made.

[sunlightpictures]

Great video. I find the Amish and Mennonite communities intriguing. I like their connection to the land but I'd have a hard time abiding by most of their rules but they are excellent farmers and craftspeople and I'm glad they're around to remind us of how to live simply.

[rebeccamueller]

Sadly, my love of the idea of Amish went away when I started helping at a horse rescue that gets mainly Amish horses that have been thrown away. We've reached ones covered in THOUSANDS of whip scars, emaciated beyond belief, blind and pulling a cart, a foal missing skin and bleeding from every leg. Also sexual abuse runs rampant in their communities and is not reported due to the fact they self govern