What It's Like To Be Amish

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

I'm not a religious person, but I have a lot of respect for anyone who chooses to live without many conveniences as a way to show their faith. I'm glad I live in a nation which allows these people to live the way they want.

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

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.

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.

I'm in Berks county, right next to Lancaster! We have more mennonites than amish over here, but we're still part of dutch country <3 They do play sports for fun, they have HUGE gatherings and play volleyball and baseball with like 50+ people at once lol

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

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.

What is shunning if not arrogance &putting yourself above another?

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.

Took a shot at that lifestyle once. It was a schwing and Amish. 🤷‍♀️😣

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.

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.