‘English’ is what many Amish call non-Amish people.
‘Yankee’ is another term.
The Amish also use phrases–’your people’, ‘those kinds of people’–which may sound somewhat derogatory to our ears.
But no harm intended.
Identity matters in Amish America. Customs, clothes, language make dividing lines clear.
At the same time, many Amish are surprisingly open to the world, and even have good friends among the English.
I recall one visit in an Amish home. A shy two-year-old quickly hid his face, unused to English folks.
The mother smiled and reassured her boy in Pennsylvania Dutch: ‘don’t worry…he just looks different from us, but he’s good too.’
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4 responses to Why do you keep calling me that? I’ve never even been to Britain!
It’s interesting because I attended a farm auction last summer in Ohio Amish country. I thought, at first glance, that all the Amish (particularly the men) looked alike. Then when I really looked, I realized that was not true.
If you look close enough, you can tell, can’t you? Especially in Holmes county–very diverse when it comes to Amish congregations.
There is an interesting place in PA called Big Valley, where the various Amish groups drive brown, white, black, and yellow-topped buggies. The dress varies greatly as well. I have not been yet but would love to go there.
By the way, any luck with subscribing? I am tech-impaired as the phrase goes so don’t know if I was able to fix it, though I know some people were able to subscribe.
cheers!
Erik
Why do you keep calling me that? I’ve never even been to Britain!
I was finally able to subscribe a couple of days ago!
Great! glad to hear! have been enjoying the Boomer Chronicles–especially your valentine’s candy post. The stuff is vile!
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