When I go shopping for blue jeans, I have to try on numerous pairs of too short, too long, too tight, too loose, too ugly, too flashy and of course the one that makes my butt look fat before I finally find the perfect pair. Trying on many different pairs of jeans gives me perspective on well, jeans. One of the benefits of travel is the opportunity to develop a perspective on – everything else. To give the Dudes some perspective, we decided to expose them to something that they could never imagine – life without electrical gadgets, life without cars, life without zippers ……..life without blue jeans.
There is no better place for a serious dose of perspective than Amish country. Although he was not Amish, my grandfather grew up in Lancaster County, heart of the Amish culture in Pennsylvania. I vaguely remember going to family gatherings there and seeing the distinctive dress and an occasional buggy of the Amish people but never learned much about their way of life. So, here was a chance for all of us to learn about an entirely different culture located right here in the middle of modern America.
right: Different kinds of “pedal” power.
Although a little touristy, the Plain and Fancy Farm offered an introductory film, a house and school tour and guided tours of the countryside. We spent the afternoon there learning about the Amish culture.
left: An Amish pick-up truck.
right: An Amish girl’s complete wardrobe. No need for closets.
The Amish are a Christian faith based culture which started in 1693 in Switzerland when Jakob Ammann parted ways with the traditional church. His followers were referred to as Ammish. Many Amish emigrated to the states in the 1700’s many of which settled in the Pennsylvania area.
left: Modern conveniences – a push bike and ringer washer.
right: An Amish graveyard with all headstones facing east.
Much of their behaviors and daily practices reflect their rejection of arrogance and pride and embracement of calmness and placidity. Even something as simple as a button or zipper would be considered arrogant possibly arousing jealousy in peers escalating to a “keeping up with the Joneses” attitude. So, over the last 300 years they have rejected all the modern conveniences that have come along like zippers and cars that may upset the balance in their world.
below: A very “fluffy” chicken.
above: Remember the days of a clothesline?
So, the question on everyones mind is always, why? Why would anyone continue to follow these practices in a modern world?
Strict decorum is followed from birth, they only go to Amish schools taught by Amish teachers, interaction with the “english” is limited, they even follow a practice of putting only metal wheels on vehicles (tractors, bikes etc.) because rubber tires would allow them to stray too far from home.
left: Amish farmhouses are large to accomodate several generations under one roof.
right: A wagon shop.
left: Note the metal wheels.
They do, however, have the opportunity to leave. Between the ages of 16 and 25, they are given the opportunity to experience the world outside. “Rumspringa”, is the time when they can sample what the other world has to offer but then they have to make the decision to return to their homes, be baptized and embrace their way of life or leave and be shunned by their community, forever.
I’m thinking that it would be difficult for a 16 year old with an 8th grade education (that is all they need for their lifestyle) to make it, happily and successfully, on their own in modern America. Maybe that is why 90% return to their family’s and communities to live the rest of their lives as if it were the 1700’s.
The film we saw was about a boy’s rumspringa experience. The guide toured us through the one room schoolhouse which houses kindergarten through 8th grade. He demonstrated some math work by asking one of the tourists in rapid fire fashion “what is 2 x 4 + 10 / 6 x 3 /2 etc. I think we should do some of that math with the Dudes. We toured an Amish house which didn’t look too much different than any other house except that there was no wiring or anything that would attach to wiring and wooden toys instead of ipods. The Dudes were actually fascinated by the wooden toys.
above: The Dudes LOVED the wooden toys.
We also took a guided bus tour among the picturesque farms and stopped at a couple of Amish stores to peruse their home baked goods (yum) and handiwork. We ended up sampling some cookies, pretzels and shoofly pie.
I am amazed that a culture that refuses to change with the times can co-exist with the modern world and survive. Although most Americans can’t imagine nor can they ever know what it is really like to live in the Amish community, the strength and success of their community is evident in the fact that they have not only survived but thrived here for 300 years ……. even without blue jeans.
There can be no assumption that today’s majority is “right” and the Amish and others like them are “wrong.” A way of life that is odd or even erratic but interferes with no rights or interests of others is not to be condemned because it is different.
Warren E. Burger
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