Has anyone ever been to an Amish town?

[sourland]

I live in an Amish area. They are just folks like us - some are friendly and some not; some are good, some not so good; (human nature is human nature)!

We have found that most of our Amish friends and acquaintences have been some of the most enjoyable people we interract with. So my advice would be to relax and enjoy yourself and maybe even make some new friends!

X 2 Excellent advice.

 

[conny63malies]

I lived in NE Ohio and hitching post at Walmart are normal. They also were always at the Rogers market. It was just normal. THere were old order, new order, Swartzentrubers, Mennonites(old and new) . The new orders even had electricity.

 

[dfr1973]

They don't like their pictures taken.

Quoted for emphasis.

 

[kuntrygirl]

That's my dream. I hope one day I can visit an Amish village.

 

[eenie114]

I live in an Amish area. They are just folks like us - some are friendly and some not; some are good, some not so good; (human nature is human nature)!

We have found that most of our Amish friends and acquaintences have been some of the most enjoyable people we interract with. So my advice would be to relax and enjoy yourself and maybe even make some new friends!

x2. I live near Jamesport, MO, and I also second the advice to sample as many of the baked goods as you can! Dutch Letters in particular.

And yes, they do not like their pictures taken, as they consider photographs to be graven images. Remember that they're people just like you, and speak to them and treat them that way.
Don't worry about being too "touristy," as there are so many around you'll just be a drop in the bucket. Have fun! Amish country shopping is not to be beat.

 

[spacecowgirl]

My neighbor's boss has started visiting an Amish village close to here very frequently. He has even thought about joining them, which is a riot because he is insanely wealthy and relies on all the luxuries not afforded to the Amish to keep his many businesses afloat. He has went as far as to buy a buggy though. Go figure.

We are planning a trip up there, soon to see it for ourselves. I've had the pleasure of receiving many different Amish food items, and I have to say the blueberry jam they make was so good I ate it straight out of the jar with a spoon!!! No bread or biscuits necessary!

But like others have said on here, we will be very careful to be respectful, and not take pictures or anything that could possibly offend them.

 

[bnjrob]

My neighbor's boss has started visiting an Amish village close to here very frequently. He has even thought about joining them, which is a riot because he is insanely wealthy and relies on all the luxuries not afforded to the Amish to keep his many businesses afloat. He has went as far as to buy a buggy though. Go figure.

Doesn't surprise me. Generally, the Amish are content with their life and that is probably something that the guy is missing. Money can buy a lot of things but it really can't buy true happiness and contentment. He is likely looking for anything that will give him the peace that his heart really is searching for.

 

[chickened]

If you use foul language do not talk... they will not do business with you.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

We regularly vacation in the next county: Lancaster County PA, heart of the PA Dutch- Amish- Mennonite- what have you.
They are ordinary folks who just believe in a simpler way of life. There are some rules you should observe: Pay cash if possible, checks otherwise, but many stores in this area take Visa-- they do like tourist money! You will find things priced fairly but not cheaply.
Don't take their pictures but DO wave to the little kids in the buggies. Around here they always wave back! Pictures where they cannot be identified ( their back) are ok.
No business transacted on Sundays or Holy Days like Good Friday or Ascension Thursday. Lots of buggy traffic on Sundays: drive very carefully!
The baked goods are so awesome because they are all made from scratch with no preservatives and all natural ingredients. Don't be afraid to stop in at their small groceries. They are plentiful because a horse can only travel so far to get groceries! Again, take cash, but you wil be amazed at the unique and good tasting items on the shelves.
I recommend stopping at a leather/ harness shop for belts and gloves. The one in Intercourse, PA, ( yes that is the name of the town) actually has a sign on the door 'No Tourists" but they sell the sturdiest belts and the softest driving gloves. We found it by asking the ladies at the local bakery we frequent ( Dare I give them some advertising?) The Stolzfuss Sisters Bakery. They don't have a phone but they make better pies than my mom did ( and hers were awesome.) Everything is run on gas, no electricity. Three elderly sisters operate the bakery and DH delights in dishing out harassment to them and they shove it right back to him with extra. They frequently suggest he mop the floor for them We usually stop at the beginning of our vacation and give them a large order for the day we are going home.
Check out any benefit dinners or auctions in the area too. Your money is welcome and helps support the community
DH and I attended a benefit auction a few years ago where we were some of maybe 6-10 English in a firehall filled to the brim with Amish. Had a simply awesome time and got some good deals. It was run on the honor system: keep track of your purchases and put your check in the box. Simply beautiful and incredible in this day and age.
For those people in SE PA, I recommend the Gap Fire Co Ham & Oyster supper coming up in April. They feed 2000 people family style in one afternoon. All homemade. Leave room for the cake and ice cream- family style.
We have also bought bird houses, yogurt, root beer, fresh veggies and fruit trees on our trips.

 

[WIChookchick]

Having come from California, I had probably seen Mennonite OR Amish families at the airports, but that was all until I moved to WI.
And it then took 5 yrs living here before I saw my first real amish buggy, being pulled by a horse, in a large town/ small city in central WI.
I had seen amish buggy tracks near one small town and i went all Elmer Fudd.. "Shhhh be very very quiet, i am hunting amish...." "oh wook, amish twacks"...
I live very close to an Amish community, we have a Dent n Bent that is run by the Amish and they get folks from 2 states away coming there to shop.
And every year, the last saturday in june, they have a HUGE 3 ring auction for their school.


A quick note on amish furniture, if you possibly can, go to a store that carries amish furniture, and run/owned by the amish. I was teaching a friend about craftmanship
and we stopped at a touristy place that advertised amish furniture...
Well taking out one drawer, I was able to show him all the things he should NOT buy.. and to stay away from.
I am sure it was amish made, probably apprenticeship work, the dove tails sucked, they were not well made nor did they line up correctly, you could see the cuts that would make up the bottom and back of the drawer were badly cut, there were pencil lines and it was badly nailed where there probably wasn't normally a need for nails.
We drove some 12 miles out of that town, into the heart of an amish community, the price was about half the asking price of the tourist store, and the quality was amazing.
Little things like looking for pencil marks and badly done dovetails.

Just my little thing I learned.