The Amish celebrate church, family and friends on Sundays. Every other Sunday will be spent with their church family and the opposite Sundays you will find them visiting other churches, family and friends. Sunday is a true day of rest for the Amish, only doing what is necessary.
Sunday night singing isn't only one of the most common Amish hobbies for young people, but it's also a way to meet their future spouse. Young people gather from different communities once every two weeks, to mingle, eat, and sing. It's the perfect blend of leisure, worship, and dating.
Amish farmers will take care of necessary chores—feeding the animals, milking cows—on Sundays, but meals are prepared on Saturdays so Sundays can be spent in worship, spending time with the family and visiting others in the community. That means that most Amish-owned businesses will be closed on Sundays.
The Amish go to church on Sundays like most other Christian denominations, but they differ in that they don't go every Sunday. They alternate, going to church every other Sunday and spending valuable time bonding with family on the other. They believe that being in contact with God is important for living a good life.
A typical sunday meal might include homemade breads, cold meat and cheeses for sandwiches, cold chicken, pickles, in season produce, Amish "Church Spread", pies and desserts. Coffee, lemonade and milk round out the menu. The afternoon is spent visiting.
If you're from a different culture you may be used to having a variety of things to drink with your meal from ice tea to milk to coffee. Its water for the Amish. But don't forget to have a cup of coffee after dessert while you sit around to chat.
The Amish Have No Dietary Restrictions
Having no dietary restrictions means they can eat whatever their heart desires.
The Amish retire early, typically around 9:00 p.m. This gives them time to wind down from their day and prepare for sleep. Once they are in bed, they say a prayer and then drift off to sleep. The Amish believe it's important to get a good night's sleep, so they can be fresh for the next day.
I think the level of integration with the modern world varies community to community (some Amish communities are more insular than others) but the most conservative of them will probably use the same methods women used for hundreds of years — wrapping themselves with strips of material, or wrapping their shift/ ...
The Amish stay up after dark, but they go to bed early: typically between 9 and 9.30pm in summer, and more like 8.30-9pm in winter. Most people start work at around 5.30am, so they're often up by 4.45am.
One of the most popular hobbies among Amish females is quilting. In fact, many grandmothers, mothers, and daughters love to spend time together practicing their craft.
Those Amish who don't drink alcohol may abstain for religious or personal reasons. That said, even those communities that do allow it generally stick to wine or beer rather than hard liquor. When they do consume alcohol, they usually enjoy it in moderation rather than drink to get drunk.
There's no rule against friendships between Amish and non-Amish people. The Amish love meeting other people and conversing about life. But always respect their devout laws and views on modern living, which will almost certainly differ from yours. You don't have to have the same beliefs to befriend an Amish person.
DO NOT stare or point or otherwise be disrespectful of the Amish. If you see an Amish family in town, they are likely there to do some shopping, stop by the bank or do some other errand just like you do with your family.
While there are some variations in what Amish individuals wear to bed, there are some common themes. Both men and women tend to wear long-sleeved cotton nightgowns or pajamas, often in muted colors like white, blue, or gray.
Traditional Amish food includes dishes like tasty roasted chicken, creamy mashed potatoes & gravy, seasoned vegetables, fresh bread, and homemade jam. The Amish are also known for excellent baked goods, especially pies, cookies, breads, cakes, and fry pies.
All types of birth control, and also all forms of natural family planning such as calendar-based methods, are forbidden in Old-Order Amish communities. However, especially in recent years, more Amish women have begun using contraception.
Amish men and women usually assume traditional and well-defined gender roles. Husbands carry the primary responsibility for the financial well-being of the family. Wives typically devote themselves to housekeeping and motherhood.
After giving birth, Amish mothers breastfeed their babies for as long as possible.
Feminine Hygiene
Female Amish wash their hair and wear it in a bun. As for makeup, Amish women aren't allowed to wear cosmetics or adornments considered worldly. This includes lipstick, mascara, eye shadow, and jewelry.
Women are to keep their hair long and worn in a single braid or bun that is pinned behind their head. Hair must be kept out of sight, as it's seen as too sensual and can be distracting for men in the community. The reason Amish women don't cut their hair is more than just aesthetic preference.
They don't permit any running water indoors, so collect rainwater and use wells to get their water. They also use a freestanding tub for bathing. The Amish make their own Amish goat's milk soap, which is a great general cleanser.
As part of their Ordnung, Old Order Amish forbid owning automobiles; tapping electricity from public utility lines; owning televisions, radios, or personal computers; attending high school or college; joining the military; and initiating divorce. All Amish groups expect men and women to wear prescribed clothing.
While we are on the topic, yes, the Amish are huge consumers of soda. To be honest, I've not met too many who are Coke fans. It seems to be Pepsi and Mountain Dew that are popular among the Amish.
Amish people enjoy pizza, spaghetti, lasagna, taco salad, etc. And they eat plenty of casserole dishes. But commonly, you will find a hearty full-course meal of meat, potatoes, a vegetable, salad, bread, and dessert, for an Amish dinner. Most Amish women serve a hearty breakfast every morning.