Are the Amish all about work?

While the Amish value hard work, they enjoy their time to relax too. They work Monday through Saturday, normally from sunrise to sunset. This may sound a lot like some people you know, but their work day is much different. They do not live the hustle and bustle of the English’s world with cell phones, computers, notebooks, etc... There is not the rush that we seem to have.

Their philosophy is: we will work together to get it done when we get it done. Puzzled? The Amish take their time to get it done right the first time. I like to call it “Amish time.” Mose, one of our basket makers has told me that, “Things get done when things get done, not much before but maybe a little afterwards.”

Amish are very proud people and their word is their bond. When they tell you they will have something done on a certain date, the majority of the time it will happen. If not, they will apologetically contact you to tell you why it can’t happen.

They take breaks during the day, but normally do not eat lunch. Instead they have snacks during the day. They eat larger breakfasts and dinners.  Each person in the family has different responsibilities, yes even the children. Everyone in their family depends on the others to assist them when needed. I remember a few weeks ago going to pick up an order of belts on which Eli B was working. I looked at what he still needed to do and he told me he would have it done in an hour and a half. By my estimation it would take over 5 man hours. I wondered how in the world he could get everything done in that amount of time. One of his sisters, Fannie, came into to the Leather Shop and just started to help out.  A few minutes later, his mother came down to help out. Then a couple of brothers and another sister showed up. I actually thought Eli’s dog, Shep was going to help out too the way he can bounding into the shop. Eli went from just himself to five workers in a matter of 30 minutes. Now that’s team work!

Kyle