Amish

[maire1]

I can't remember the full title and have only just started watching it. Where do they get all their money. They seem to have endless amounts.

[Stargazer]

It is fairly obvious that the programme makers provide the situations and therefore foot the bill for everything including the Hotel they stay in. I watch this programme not because it is artificial in that the various locations are preselected, but because the conver5sations of the young people are clearly not rehearsed. I believe that some of the youngsters have come with their parents (reluctant) approval for a set period just to get it out of their system and hope that they will return to the Amish. I think maybe Abe and Rebecca may do so.

[pusskin]

Brilliant programme maire. have watched them all, and find it so interesting how easy their life is. Well not easy as such, just simple way of living.

[Stargazer]

I like Abe. He is so sweet.

[pusskin]

Abe is cute, and I love the look on all their faces when they see all different things that we all take for granted. Their lovely people.

[Stargazer]

Their way of life is hard and repetitive. There is no knowledge of the outside world. I think that the older folk may accept it but I imagine that the younger ones have got a hint of what they may be missing in the wider world.

[Clanad]

There are several branches of the base faith of Mennonites...the Amish, which has four distinct branches witn themselves... as well as Hutterite. All arose out of the Anabaptist movement in Switzerland, Holland and Germany in the Reformation of the 1500's.

Here in the U.S., the Mennonites, Amish and Hutterites are well represented, but it's only the Old Order Amish that still use horse drawn equipment and shun most modern conveniences.

All of the various groups are communal in nature, meaning the land, buildings and equipment are owned by the group and are governed by overseers.

When a new group starts out of existing group they find land and pay cash of it. All of the start-up costs are cash as well... they have no debt to service, which significantly adds to their bottom line. Costs are tightly controlled by just plain good management.

We have several communes near where I live here in the western U.S. , mostly Hutterites and they farm but mostly raise chickens and turkeys at the commercial level and do very well.

Not unfriendly, but they still speak German and are close knit. We travel to their communeen we buy turkeys and chickens, especially at Thanksgiving time since theirsare a far better quality than in grocery stores.
Hope I've answered your question...

[pusskin]

Brilliant iformation clanad, many thanks x

[humbersloop]

so is it a cash economy then, based on neither a borrower nor a lender be?

[Clanad]

Humber...Yuup... I see them (Hutterites) at the local Sam's Club ( a part of Walmart that sells discount large volume items) and speak to them (had three years of German, but certainly not fluent) which they seem to appreciate. Not uncommon for them to wheel out several commercial size carts of supplies spending perhaps $3,000 to $5,000 at a time.

I often see them at farm and ranch auctions, especially when a rancher is retiring and selling equipment and what have you at auction... they (as well as me and others) are their for the bargains and are experts at used farm equipment... thought they often buy new tractors and harvestors.

Men usually wear white shirts and dark pants, women and girls all wear a blue pattern gingham long skirt and blouses with their hair in a bun under a little cloth cap.
Distinctly German in appearance... not unusual for the men to be well in excess of 6 feet tall and heavy but obviously not fat. Women are largish as well. T

They eat together communally and the single men and women live in communal dormitories (seperate of course) and when a couple marries theyare alotted a house but can provide their own furnishings... but no debt, since only the governing body has the right to purchase large ticket items...

[Stargazer]

What happens in a medical emergency - acute appendicitis or heart attack/stroke etc? I wonder what happens to their disabled people. Are they allowed modern medical aids and modern medicies? If so can they get them off prescription as presumably they are not registered with a Doctor.

[Clanad]

They pay their taxes fathfully and the commune accords private insurance for each and they have no aversion to modern medical services.

A study (seen here: In An Amish Paradox, Hurst and McConnell detail use of institutional medicine among the various Amish affiliations in the Holmes County, Ohio settlement.

Hurst and McConnell report that Amish are generally less likely to undergo annual checkups or engage in preventative care. A reluctance to go to the doctor can result from various factors, including a desire to avoid needless medical costs, a generally higher pain threshold (as reported by doctors treating the Amish) and a failure to understand the importance of, or reasons for professional treatment.

The authors also note that more conservative Amish are less likely to seek medical care, and more likely to delay treatment, especially when physical symptoms are absent or minimal. The Amish (who do not carry commercial health insurance) cover medical expenses in various forms, often by contributions from the community, or through limited community-administered plans) details the question and answer...

[Tizzi24]

Clanad - that is so interesting, these people really fascinate me. I saw some Mennonites at a market when I visited my sister in Toronto a few years ago.

[lankeela]

Some of them also breed dogs on a large scale and are what we would term puppy farmers.

[puzzled54]

I have also been to an Amish market, home made produce produced on a large scale and sold to the public. Good quality, not overpriced, but must be making a good living from that.