Most people seem to enjoy the charm of it all........the rolling hills, the horse and buggies, the quaint dress of the Amish and Mennonites. I know people who visit every time they want a new piece of furniture, as Amish woodworking is supposed to be very good quality. I also know people who go once a month to stock up on bulk foods. Others just enjoy the little craft shops and restaurants. My parents used to take us a few times a year to eat at big Amish restaurants with names like 'Der Dutchman' and 'The Amish Door.' Personally, I don't think the meals are all that special, unless you like truck driver style lunches with mounds of chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and white bread. But that's not the reason I hadn't been there in so long.
About 16 years ago, Husband and I kept hearing people talk about this great hotel down in Amish Country. It was in the woods, there was a big lodge with regular hotel rooms, but also another building with 'honeycomb rooms,' which were secluded guest rooms built into the side of a hill, with private balconies. We thought it sounded very romantic and considering it was really just a short drive, we thought it would be a great place to go for our anniversary. Our kids were just babies back then, so a one night trip sounded perfect.
Husband grew up in a family that never took road trips. Being a bigger sized family, they couldn't afford going out to eat or staying in hotels, so they only ever took one family vacation, ever. Amish Country had never been a destination for them. Never having been there, Husband was quite intrigued by this whole concept of going to Amish Country. We left one summer morning and were hitting the little shops by noon. I think we bought some Christmas ornaments and a kitchen doodad or two, but mostly just strolled around the little towns. Back then, the majority of shops were owned and manned by the Amish and everyone working in the restaurants was Amish, so you were immersed in the culture. We checked into our honeycomb room, and it was lovely. That evening, we ate our anniversary dinner in the lodge's restaurant. I remember Husband being a bit annoyed that we couldn't order champagne or wine with our dinner, because the restaurant didn't serve alcohol, out of respect for the community or something like that. The hotel wasn't owned by the Amish.
The next morning, we packed up and headed home. The conversation went something like this:
Me: "So.....now you've been to Amish Country! How did you like it?"
Him: "It was okay."
Me: "Just okay??"
Him: "Well, I really don't like the Amish."
Me: "???????WHAT???????? Who doesn't like the Amish???"
Him: "They just aren't friendly. All they are interested in is taking your money. It's just a big tourist trap!"
Me: "Well, didn't you at least like the hotel?"
Him: "What restaurant doesn't serve alcohol??"
And so, that was the first and last time my husband has ever visited Amish Country. He just didn't like the Amish! (In his defense, they are reserved and not interested in making small talk with outsiders. This did not go over well with someone who grew up in a big, loud, Irish-Italian family.)
Me: "Well, didn't you at least like the hotel?"
ReplyDeleteHim: "What restaurant doesn't serve alcohol??"
This did not go over well with someone who grew up in a big, loud, Irish-Italian family.)"
Bwhahahahahahahahaha!
OMG, how funny!
And I applaude your husband for his honesty!
As you know, we here in Pennsylvania have a HUGE Amish population. I am so intriqued and respectful of their way of life, but could never do it myself. However, they have a few stands at one of the farmers markets in Philly, and I have to say....I love their food!
Great post, my friend!
X
Thanks for this, Bijoux. . .
ReplyDeleteI have long harbored a deep fascination with the Amish, in large part because of my own involvement in a pretty intense Christian community life. In a lot of ways, they're doing the same stuff that we aspire to (minus the 'time-capsule' ambience. . .)
We have a few Amish 'colonies' here in Michigan, but they're much smaller than what you see where you are. Still, when we visit one of my cousins, it's not at all uncommon to encounter a few buggies on the way.
As I said, I have a deep admiration for the Amish and their way of life, but my own close contacts with them have tended to be somewhat frustrating. I certainly understand their frustration at not wanting to be treated as 'curiosities' by non-Amish, but it can come across as surly. I want to say, "No wait - I really admire your way of life!" but I haven't earned that level of trust. . .
I respect and admire their way of life but I'm with your husband, I don't see the fascination some folks have.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Amish have great produce and neat doo-dads and make quality furniture and buildings but they also know what those items are worth and you pay the premium just as you would from other suppliers.
While I'm not a generally social dude I am taken aback by how stand-offish the Amish are, particularly to their customers.
Locally the Amish have taken to partnering with us 'English' to market their goods and I suspect it's because of that legendary cold-shoulder.
We have toured a couple Amish farms and for this farm boy it is interesting to see how they do things without the big iron we had to plow and such. And their buffets remind me of the farm-table where we ate our meals .... same fare and all.
Ron - LOL....glad you saw the humor in it, like I did! I've been to Hershey, PA and the surrounding Amish area a few times. It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCraig - I think their living in a somewhat cult-like community has done them more harm than good. There have been a number of instances recently where they've thought themselves to be above the law, and of course, it makes headlines. I've also read some disturbing books from those who've left the communities regarding incest and other nasty business.
X - Standoffish is a very good description for what my husband felt. I really couldn't care less if they smile while they take my money, so it was funny to see his reaction!
I've only been to an Amish community once, and honestly don't remember if I felt they were 'standoffish' or not- but we still have the excellent woolen blanket that we picked up while there, and there's nothing finer than curling up with it in front of the fire, in the winter!
ReplyDeleteI've done the Amish thing too. (And Hershey Park/Sesame Place, talk about culture shock.) Really don't care for it much, but they are living (more or less) as they would like. What always struck me as humorous are all of the "Gift Haus"es that line the streets. For those who don't speak German, "Haus" = house and "Gift" = poison. (Gift auf Deutsch is geschenken.)
ReplyDeleteWe went to an Amish dinner once near Harrisburg Penn. and it was neat: We were invited in to sit at a long table with about 10 other folks whom we didn't know. Large bowls of food and plates of meat were brought in and passed around, just like as if we were a big family gathering for dinner. We had nice conversations and by the time the meal was over we felt as though we had made new friends.
ReplyDeleteNever experienced that since, sorrowfully.
Sailor - That sounds like a good purchase!
ReplyDeleteRuss - I did not know that 'gift' means 'poison' in German! Too funny! I will have to mention the 'gift haus' thing to my son, who is in his 4th year of German.
Goatman - I have heard about being able to 'sign up' for that sort of Amish experience. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for visiting!
I live near an Amish community in southwestern new York state, an have had nothing but wonderful experiences with the community. I think that they appreciate it when people ask them thoughtful and respectful questions about their culture and beliefs, just as most people would.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, there are some truly horrific stories that come out of some communities, but they are really no different than the horrific stories that happen in our communities. People will be people, no matter what they choose to believe.
I have to say, I'm in complete agreement with your husband. Not serving alcohol is just wrong.
ReplyDeletePamela - I agree with you and didn't mean for the post to be a commentary on the Amish....more like a commentary on what my husband thinks is important in life!
ReplyDeleteAgent - You made me LOL.....after a day of shopping in little gift shops amongst tour bus types, most people do need a drink!
That's somewhere I would REALLY like to visit, I'm intrigued by the Amish and their lifestyle. Mind you I do like a tipple so I think I'd miss that! LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me and taking the time to comment. Interesting what you say about St John's the Divine in New York City and Canterbury Cathedral being alike. :)
LOL, i grew up not far from PA's amish country and where there is also a significant italian subculture, yeah...those two groups really are VERY divergent in their views. too funny.
ReplyDeletealso allow me to say the farmer's market i grew up going to every week ha da number of amish run stands as well. although i certainly understand why some folks would interpret them as standoffish i can say, as someone who grew up in a heavily german influenced culture that it's really more of a reticence (not cluttering up life with more words than are necessary) and a focus on efficiency. waste not want not mentality goes well beyond the economic realities. warmth is expressed not as overtly and dramatically as in other cultures but more in being very practical and lending aid very generously where it is needed but in such a way as to maintain dignity for the receiver.
ReplyDeletefor example if you want to give food to a friend who has fallen on hard times you'd never state it so obviously. it would be, "i made bread yesterday, it's more than i can use before it goes stale. i'd appreciate if you'd take some."
Akelamalu - It is a unique culture, worth a visit if you are ever in these parts of the U.S. And thank you for the return visit.
ReplyDeleteLime - I was hoping you'd stop by to comment; I knew you'd get a kick out of his reaction.
I live in a very high-density Amish area, where most of the stores offer hitching post areas. I would call the Amish reserved, not stand-offish, but it's pretty much a matter of perspective.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I find funny is.. this little touristy place near me has Amish in the name of it.... sort of an old farm/village place. And about a year ago, they began to serve wine. It still makes me laugh; it's just SO incongruous to see that.