The Amish F.A.Q.

We often get questions about the Amish. Here are some of the more common questions we get along with some answers to those questions. Please note that we are not experts about the Amish, but we have learned quite a bit having interacted with them.

There are no absolutes. Amish communites, like other communities, are dynamic and what works in one community may not be the case in another.

Also, no attempt has been made to differentiate between the different "Orders" of the Amish. Most of the comments below are about "Old Order" Amish.

The Amish have chosen a simpler lifestyle, but even still the economic realties of the communities they live in have forced them to adapt.

The Amish Don't Use Electricity

False. Some Amish families and businesses use electricity that they generate themselves, though in general they try and limit their usage. An example of electricity usage would be an Amish grocery store that had a freezer section.

Also, some Amish are adopting the use of 12 volt lights in their houses because it is safer than gas jets.

The Amish Don't Use Telephones

False. The Amish typically do not have telephones in their homes the way you or I do, however, they do at times use telephones. Some businesses employ answering services so their non-Amish customers can get a hold of them, and the Amish will return calls when neccessary, though as with most technology they try to limit their usage.

The Amish Do Not Use Cars

True, well sort of. The Amish do not own cars and they do not drive cars, though they can be driven by others. It is not uncommon in Amish communities to see non-Amish people advertise their "taxi" services in the local papers of Amish communities.

Trains are another popular form of transportation for the Amish.

The Amish Are Unfriendly and Avoid non-Amish People
False. It is true, for the most part, that the Amish keep to themselves while they are around town. Having said that they are very friendly people when they are approached. They are basically just plain folks.

The Amish Do Not Like Cameras
True, well sort of. The Amish do not use cameras the same way you or I would. They aren't taking pictures of their kids and emailing them to Grandma. But they do use cameras to photograph their products when neccessary. This is the economic reality they live in. It's hard to sell furniture if the customers and wholesalers don't know what the furniture looks like.

Amish Children Do Not Play Like non-Amish Children.
False! Amish children run and play just like other children do. They have bicycles, sandboxes, toy trucks, and other toys. They don't, however, have playstations or TV's.

I remember once while we were visiting an Amish family our 5 year old son was playing with a young Amish girl. Her father told me he thought it was amazing that our kids got along so well even though his daughter didn't speak English. We told him that children have their own universal language of "playing".

And, the Amish love to play baseball.

The Amish Don't Speak English
False. Most Amish people start out speaking their own language but later in life, usually when they are young children, they learn English. If you talk to an adult Amish person they will sound more or less like yourself.

The Amish Avoid Modern Medicine
False. The Amish have no problem with modern medicine or hospitals. There is, however, a rich tradition of using more homegrown remedies.

We were at an Amish family's house and our 3 year old daught fell and slammed her head into a concrete floor. She had a massive welt on her forehead and we considered taking her to the hospital, but the Amish gentleman we were visiting said that he had an ointment they use in those circumstances. We applied the ointment and the next day the welt was gone. Our daughter never even developed a bruise.

The Amish Are Industrious
True! Amish families have many irons in the fire. They are farmers, businessmen, and they typically have many children. They are a very busy people.

The Amish Have Tightknit Communities
True. They all know each other and they all help each other out. It's not unusual to see large gatherings of Amish folks to raise money for one of their members medical expenses.

The Amish Don't Pay Taxes
False. Like everyone else, the Amish feel the long arm of the U.S. Government.