There's no rule against friendships between Amish and non-Amish people. The Amish love meeting other people and conversing about life.
The Amish are quiet and like to be left alone: they don't really mind what you do on your land. You can have a symbiotic relationship with the Amish that suits both of you. First off you need to respect the way they live and understand a few things. The Amish really don't like compliments.
Non-Amish people are generally referred to as "English" by the Amish, and outside influences are often described as "worldly". Amish church membership begins with adult baptism, usually between the ages of 16 and 23.
Remember, the Amish community cherishes the practice of gift-giving as a means of strengthening relationships, expressing gratitude, and celebrating life's special moments. While they may refer to outsiders as "English," they are more than willing to accept gifts from those outside their community.
It seems that they are certainly on to something, because numerous data points indicate that the Amish live happier and healthier lives than the average American.
This is based on the biblical principle of wives being submissive to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24). This doesn't mean that Amish women are treated as second-class citizens. They're still considered equal in worth and value. However, they're expected to defer to their husband's decisions and opinions.
It is clear that women are valued in Amish culture, and on some levels are even afforded types of equality and freedoms that women outside of Amish society might not be. In Amish weddings, for example, the woman is not “given away” by her father to her future husband, as is often done in non-Amish weddings.
Out of respect for their privacy, it is best to avoid approaching the Amish unless they appear open to company. They are just like you and don't really appreciate strangers knocking at their door. When you do have a need to approach a group of Amish, it is polite to speak to a male, if possible.
The marriages are dependent on if they are between two members of the Amish church or a member and an outsider of the Amish church. The decision to marry a person outside of the Amish church is one that comes with a decision to be made by the person in the community, but before they are baptized by the church.
So, the Amish don't really have a special name for people who aren't Amish. Instead, they usually call them "English," which basically means anyone who's not Amish. The term shouldn't be taken as an insult. It's just a way for the Amish to set themselves apart from the rest of the world.
Dating among the Amish typically begins around age 16 with most Amish couples marrying between the ages of 20 and 22. To find a prospective date, the young adults socialize at functions such as frolics, church, or home visits. One of the most popular activities is the Sunday night singing.
Keep in mind, the Amish don't have radios or television. They're allowed to listen to live music though, and many Amish attend outdoor music concerts in the countryside. You may even have seen some of them at an outdoor country music concert, enjoying picnic lunches from one of their distinctive Amish Baskets.
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.
What happens when an Amish husband dies? Remarriage After the Death of a Spouse. Widows and widowers may enter a courtship and remarry, and many Amish people do after losing a loved one. Because the Amish have large families, remarriage results in large extended families.
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.
In the case of Amish women, this identification of marital status is very simple. The bonnets they wear are how to tell if an Amish woman is married. They all wear traditional bonnets on their heads, but while single women wear black, married women wear white.
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.
It is common for Amish communities to allow the use of telephones, but they do not allow them in the home. Instead, several Amish families will share a telephone housed in a wooden shanty in a nearby location.
The languages most commonly spoken by the Amish are Pennsylvania Dutch and English. Amish community members use Pennsylvania Dutch when conversing with each other in their community. English is only really used for communicating with outsiders.
Do Amish shave their legs and armpits? The Ordnung (set of community rules) forbids women from shaving. What's more, because the Amish interpretation of the New Testament considers cutting hair a shameful act (1 Corinthians 11:5-15), women don't cut or shave any hair on their bodies.
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.
However, in addition to the modesty aspect, women must keep their heads covered at all times so that they can pray at any time. Both modesty and prayer are central to the daily lives of Amish people and for women, wearing head coverings and bonnets is an important part of that.