Do you think you would be able to "make it" in an Amish town, living and working with them?

Question

Do you know all about Horses, farming, cows, etc. like they do?

Could you get up at 4 AM everyday and work 'til dark?

Could you build a timber frame barn or house?

And do all these things without electricity, tractors, pick truck, or a car?

Thanx for your answers.

Answer 1

I would love to give it a try. I always thought I should have been born back before they had all the conveniences.

Answer 2

The Amish don't expect their "English" neighbors to live as they do. (English being their term for anyone who's non-Amish.) That's why you'll see black Amish buggies parked beside shiny red sportscars at the supermarket or hardware stores. They co-exist with their neighbors and use the same stores and many of the same services that they do.

And the Amish are not opposed to using technology if it conforms to the "Ordnung" (community rules) of their area. For example, several families get together and have a phone for emergencies, but it's located in a small outbuilding, not in anyone's home.

But to answer your question, I could do many of the things that are expected of an Amish woman. My grandparents lived on a small farm in Kentucky, and for many years, they had no running water, heated their home with kerosene, and washed clothes in a black iron kettle over coals. They raised their own food, had chickens for eggs and meat, and even though the lifestyle was primitive, I always loved visiting and learning from them.

I can quilt, can food, grow crops, cook, clean house and do laundry without electricity, keep a wood stove burning, and a lot of other abilities that are fast vanishing in the modern world. My husband is an excellent carpenter, metalworker, and all-round competent guy. He's better at sewing than I am!

I might not like the lifestyle -- I *do* love my air conditioning in this 98+ degree weather -- but I've done it before and could do it again if I had to. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Toy!

Answer 3

It would not be my first choice in living arrangements but I could survive..

Having lived on a farm for the past 10 years I know I can get up at 4 am and work through the day I can handle live stock and the issues with them...

I can do minor carpentry but like the Amish I could call my neighbors in to help build...

During a week long power outage last winter I did the who farm thing without electricity I was not ecstatic but I survived..

As I said not my first choice but I could do it if I had to...

Answer 4

Yes :milked 3 jersey cows before School;Ele School 1954; Harness team of Black horses at 14
cut fence post with double bit axe 10 cents a post
prior to Joining Uncle Sam; Get up at 4:30 Jet aircraft; Rail Road,at 65 I can stay with Amish ; I don"t know if they would want a Pentecostal with them; I have great Respect for Amish;Good Question

Answer 5

i grew up on a beef cattle farm without many of the luxuries most people take for granted. i could probably do lots of things that other english people (that's what the amish call people who aren't amish) can't do. however, there would be no R&S, among other things. i'm really not quite sure why i'd want to do it. there are lots of menonites, around my hometown, which is another anabaptist sect. they aren't as strict as the amish, but they're very similar in the way they dress, and in some of their other beliefs. they can have other things though, according to their particular sect. some of them can own cars, so long as the cars are black (dunno why), and some of them can use computers... they all dress the same though. the men have abraham lincoln-style beards and overalls. the women wear long dresses and bonnets. they live off in their own community down by the lake (lake of the ozarks). the women are some of the best bakers i've ever known and most of the men could work circles around city-boys.

Answer 6

NO. Absolutely not...I'm 44 years old and lived all my life with the luxury of having electricity. If it weren't for the currents of electricity that is in our home, I would not have been able to turn on my computer to answer this question.

Answer 7

No way, but then again I have no desire to do it or try. I like technology. I think technology has brought to us freedoms and advancements in all areas of our lives. Technology allows us to feed and clothe more people. It saves lives medically. I dont begrudge the amish, but I think I would be doing an incredible disservice to my children if I ever forced them to live without technology.

Answer 8

Sure no sweat. I raised 63 sheep so I can take care of horses and cows. I planted my first garden when I was 13. I build a fellowship hall for a church. No sweat.

Answer 9

I would drive them crazy with my complaining and whining. I am sure I could physically do it(except for maybe building the barn) but I probably wouldn't be able to mentally make myself do it.

Answer 10

I lived next door to them for a few years. I want no part of living the way they do. I've probably done things that were physically harder, but the whole life is just boring as hell.

Answer 11

Of course not. Because I haven't lived that life and it's very different then the life I have. But if I had been born into that lifestyle it would be a way of life.