Amish Question

[scesnick]

I have an Amish contractor coming to build us a barn. I have a few questions about the Amish because I certainly do not want to offend them while they are working on my barn. I have heard that they will use power tools if a power supply is available. Is this accurate? I would hate to tote my generator to the build site and they look at me like I have three heads.
Also, what about caffeinated drinks ?

 

[nybirdman]

They may be different in your area but here we have the "Old Order" Amish and about as strict as they come.They will and do use power tools,phones and any sweets you are willing to supply.
They also will ride in any vehicle,won't drive or own but the will ride.
All the sects are different,just ask.

 

[murphy1244]

We have Amish and Mennonite here. My Barn builders used a gas compressor and a Bobcat with a PHD. Even carried a cell phone but says its not in his name. High tech is catching up to them. I think they will drink your water so bring it.

 

[davepg1]

Much of what they will or won't use is dictated by the Church Elders. Some will use battery powered tools, some won't. None that I know of will use anything directly tied to the power grid. If they are "old order", they won't touch much of anything using electric in my area. The rules are different per area. Just don't cuss in front of them and most will not look you in the eye when talking to them. Outsiders are the "English" and they sure love us when they get paid, but not so much any other time.

 

[DrRod]

As noted above, it all depends on the dictates of the individual order. A group of Amish work at my place periodically. They use air tools driven by a generator. They have a regular driver and share a cell phone kept at an English house. They even text me sometimes, which just kills me. When I have a question about something I just ask -- they may have some very different ways of doing things but they aren't martians.

 

[davesl708]

In my area the Amish use horse and buggy. Just remember the horse and buggy were modern and state of the art when they started using them.
A few questions up front will take care of ninety percent and be appreciated.

 

[KevT]

From those I have dealt with, they do not use line power, nothing that comes in on a pole. Generators, cell phones, battery, etc. are okay. Ask before you start taking pictures, most don't mind if asked, but they will not pose, action shots only or they will step away. And talk to them, they are nice people and will laugh at the things you say, we English are just as strange to them.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I find that they will make eye contact once the initial introduction is done but again it depends on the order. Simply ask them if they need a power source. Never assume anything. They usually build to what you expect but everything needs to be specified, trim, overhangs, etc. You probably know this but I will mention it anyway, don't take their picture.

The Amish farrier I pick up to bring to my place will readily ask me to do him a favor such as the time he needed to finish a shoeing job where he had not had the correct shoes with him. I only trim my horses so I readily agreed just to see him set shoes. He will also ask me to make calls for him on my cell but will not use the cell himself. But then the Amish around me a generally far more "relaxed" then many I used to do business with in the Lancaster, PA area.

Not sure if it's because this can be tough to eck out a living or because the Amish that I have dealt with have come from many different areas or what.

 

[Walt 2002]

"Much of what they will or won't use is dictated by the Church Elders." ( In their sect)

I think this pretty well sums it up. Ask politely as suggested several times. They recently put in a new concrete drive for us using diesel track hoe, gasoline powered trowel and vibrator, used our phone or their driver's who pulled their large trailer here loaded with their equipment. Were very nice, young sons, I'd guess 15 & 19 worked steadily and without direction, no profanity naturally.

At this point, very satisfied with their work and with the price which we got several bids on.

Walt Conner

 

[Jstpssng]

Definitely need to ask them anything they aren't sure about. You are the customer after all.

The one thing which seems universal is that they are very hard workers and the quality is great.