The Amish & Outsiders (6 Questions)
- What do Amish call the rest of us?
- Do Amish cooperate with non-Amish?
- Can I be friends with the Amish?
- Can I visit an Amish community?
- Do Amish accept outsiders into the church?
- One Amishman’s view
1. What do Amish call non-Amish people?
Most commonly, Amish refer to non-Amish people as “English”. They may call them “non-Amish” though that term is probably more commonly used outside the community.
The Amish in the Geauga County, Ohio community have their own name for non-Amish–“Yankees”. One theory for the unique name in this community, suggested by Amish researcher Stephen Scott, is that the English who settled that area of Ohio hailed from New England, and were literally “Yankees”.
2. Do Amish cooperate with non-Amish?
Yes, in numerous ways. In business, many Amish have non-Amish partners, employees, co-workers, and of course customers.
Though conflicts sometimes arise, Amish also cooperate with local authorities in various ways, including with law enforcement and other officials. Amish also maintain relationships with English people as neighbors and friends.
3. Can I be friends with the Amish?
Yes. Many Amish have friendships with English people. Amish appreciate those who respect and practice Christian values, though Amish maintain relationships with others not of their faith.
4. Can I visit an Amish community?
Yes. Amish communities can be visited and some are popular tourist destinations. Many visitors enjoy patronizing Amish businesses and roadside stands. Try to respect the Amish by driving carefully and being thoughtful about photography.
5. Do the Amish accept outsiders?
It is not common, but occasionally outsiders do join the Amish as church members. Read more here.
6. One Amishman’s view on outsiders
Finally, I asked John Stoltzfus, a member of a Pennsylvania Amish community, the following: How hard is it to become accepted into the Amish community? Here’s John’s response:
Being accepted as a friend or accepted as a convert?
I feel that most of the Plain Community is very open to outside “English” friendship. Years ago (late 1960’s), a lady stopped at my parents and asked for a glass of water. That glass of water overflowed with friends to this day. She was a tourist from Connecticut and for many years after that she would bring her family for a week stay. She then introduced her friends.
Through that one lady, my parents have had friends from all over the USA. With all those, there ended up a few very favorites that continued to visit every year for a long time. In the early 1970’s there was one family that we would visit every Memorial Day weekend, and every Labor Day they would spend their time with us. This continued til they moved into our area in 1977. Not all couples would do what my parents did, however it was a great experience for us, which I think is why I look at people as people, not Black, White, Jew, Mennonite…..etc.
Being accepted as a convert, is entirely up to the convert. What I mean by that is, you need to accept the rules/Ordnung of the church district that you are trying to convert to. It really doesn’t matter who it is, you accept the Church, the Church accepts you.
In other words there are “no” divorces in the Amish Church, because the person or couple would be excommunicated before the divorce would happen. If there would be a chance that the Church wouldn’t know about it til after the fact, at the first opportunity there would be excommunication. Therefore you would be disconnected from the Church which makes your membership void.
For more, see:
- Mackall, Joe. Plain Secrets: An Outsider Among the Amish. Boston: Beacon Press, 2007.
- Stevick, Pauline. Beyond the Plain and Simple: A Patchwork of Amish Lives. Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 2006.
Image credits: Non-Amish visitor- Lauren Futch; Intercourse Community Days- Ed C.
Question
What do call a boy friend over in Lancaster county
Sweetheart, honey, dear, pumpkin, oh…. you meant what does an Amish girl call her boyfriend? (Sorry, just kidding, couldn’t resist it!)
In the PA Dutch we’d often say “kal,” which would be fellow or guy in English, but in PA you often hear “chap,” or “chappie” too, as in “Mary and her chap were there.”
Oddball question for the Amish
Hi – as we are now in the end times of the Bible, do the Amish understand that they may become very popular if (more like *when*) the electricity goes out? I wonder about this a lot because we “English” city folk know *NOTHING* about…well, anything that is non electric, nor anything that is made by/used by hand. Would the Amish rise the occasion to help in a potentially electricity-free world?
Do you know of any Amish communities that would allow someone to live and work with them for a summer?
Amish in Kansas
I live outside a small town Wakefield,Ks. All of a sudden there are Amish building all around me. Is there any way to find out how many Amish are coming to my area? And how many buildings I can expect to go up? Feeling a bit overwhelmed by going from no neighbors to lots of new neighbors. I do know that they are from Pennsylvania. I’d ask them but they are not very friendly. Any help with this could be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Joining the Amish
I have done a lot of research, and feel like God has led me to Joining the amish o and is there a way that find a way to join an Amish Community
How a foreigner join the Amish
Hello, could you please tell me how a foreigner join the Amish? Did he/she should get a green card so as to live in America and then find a way to live in the Amish community? Thanks.
England is a country
These poor kids aren’t allowed to get an education and don’t realize England is actually a country where English people live. But they are in America. It’s so sad.
"English" refers to the language, not the country of origin.
Perhaps if you were burdened with an education you’d understand that “English”, when used by the Amish, refers to English-speaking outsiders… not their country of origin.
Sad, indeed.
Can't agree
While I agree with you. They’re not dumb either. They are in fact very smart