How to Make Your Visit to Amish Country More Rewarding

“What are some do’s and don’ts when visiting Amish country?” is a question I often get asked.

_{Below are 3 do’s and don’ts to get you started. If you’d like more do’s and don’ts with detailed explanations, consider taking my Amish Culture 301 mini course. It includes video lectures, cheat sheets, and other resources.}

Do and Don’t #1

_{Don’t ask children and adults to pose for photos. The religion forbids cameras and family portraits.}

_{Ask permission to take a photo of the farm, business, or buggy. It’s legal to take a photo from the road (public property) without permission, but if you want to earn respect, you should ask for permission anyway.}

Do and Don’t #2

_{Don’t worry about approaching a female in a place of business. If a woman or girl is . . .}

_{. . . working in a business, treat her just like you would a non-Amish employee.}

_{Ask to speak to the bishop or male of the household. Except in rare cases, women have no decision-making authority.}

Do and Don’t #3

Don’t say words and phrases such as: hell, heck, shit, f*ck, oh my God, and good Lord.

_{Wear a top that fully covers your chest and abdomen (if you’re female). Even though this is America and you have the right to dress however you please, you should go to great lengths to hide your skin if you’d like to make progress within the Amish.}

Did you know that Amish American children are legally prohibited from going to school past the 8th grade?

This is thanks to 1972 US Supreme Court case, Wisconsin v. Yoder. Check out my post about that.

Watch the Video

Keep scrolling for the video version of this post.

---

FREE 5-Day Challenge (online course) “Who Are the Amish? Everything You Need to Know to Get Started as a Social Worker, Educator, or Advocate“: ➜ https://www.AmishHeritage.org/5Day

Curious about Amish life and culture? Join the FREE weekly Amish Insider & get a link to download “4 Popular Myths About the Amish“: ➜ https://www.AmishHeritage.org/news

WANT SOME ONE-ON-ONE HELP? Or Want Me to Speak? If you or your school, department, or organization are interested, I give customized presentations or guest lectures via Zoom and culturally sensitive webinar trainings for social workers and law enforcement. Email me for more info.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Visit https://www.AmishHeritage.org/courses to view all of our Amish Culture courses available to you. New courses added monthly.

---