- Do not stare or otherwise be disrespectful to the Amish.
- Do keep an eye out for slow-moving Amish buggies (especially at night) while driving, and give them plenty of room when following or passing. Keep headlights on low beam and stay away from the horn, except for a short toot when passing, to avoid spooking the horses.
- Do not enter private property without permission.
- Do not take photos or videos. Most Amish consider posing for photographs an unacceptable act of pride and do not allow pictures of themselves. If you must take pictures, consider a telephoto lens and avoid taking any photos that include recognizable faces. A picture of the rear of an Amish buggy as it travels down the road probably won’t offend anyone.
- Do not feed or pet horses that are tied to a hitching rail or harnessed to a buggy.
- Do respect their privacy. It is best to avoid approaching the Amish unless they appear open to company. They are just like you and don’t appreciate strangers knocking at their door. When you need to approach a group of Amish, it is polite to speak to a male, if possible. If you are sincerely interested in talking to the Amish to learn more about their culture, your best bet is to patronize an Amish-owned business and talk with the shopkeepers. Most Amish people enjoy talking with outsiders as long as they don’t feel as if they are on display.
- In our Amish community, all Amish-owned shops are closed on Sundays (and many of our non-Amish shops, too). It’s always best to call ahead to check before making your travel plans.
