It's so easy to marginalize a people who choose to live their lives in a way that seems so antiquated or just different, but I think this movie did a wonderful job of humanizing The Amish. I know it was Weir's point, I really hated the gawkers. I've never had any desire to go stare at Amish people, but now I will harbor disdain towards anyone who does.
shareI believe respectful tourists are welcome. Many Amish sell their produce and hand-made goods such as quilts and jam. I have a friend who visited the area and bought some nice items. The Amish have a different religion and way of life, and kind of isolationist, but are nice people. Just don't invade their privacy or treat them like a tourist attraction.
shareAs someone who grew up near the Amish country of Ohio, I can't tell you how many times I've heard of tourists just casually strolling onto Amish farms and houses taking pictures, treating them like they're parks or museums. It never occurs to them that these farms are private property, and not there for their amusement.
shareBut where do they sell their products? In their farms (what I suppose) or in some stores in the City?
shareThey do market their hand made quilts, jams, and furniture. Of course they don't like to be stared at, or as Rachel said, have people come into their yards and take pictures, but if you're respectful they're happy to sell to you!
(I went to school near Pennsylvania Amish country)
Not sure what you mean from using Amish as a tourist attraction. Most people drive right by and nothing else.
shareI got dragged out to "Amish Country" while visiting relatives.
It wasn't to gawk at the Amish, it was to eat at this huge dining hall they had out there. There's no point at gawking at people.
The only time I heard of people going to Amish country was to buy Amish made furniture (great craftsmanship) or baked goods, which I assume helps their economy. The Amish countryside is supposed to be very picturesque too, and the Amish farms very well kept and unspoiled. Same as visiting a foreign country. You check out the landscape, the culture, and probably take note of the locals, their style, traditions but in a respectful way.
shareMan, I hate being the object of disdain...
My wife and I visited Amish country almost 30 years ago, and it was a very memorable trip. Part of the trip is of course about the Amish, but it's also about the farming area (plus, we hit Hershey and the train museum while we were there). There were many stores that the Amish sold goods in, so I think they appreciate the tourist money.
We visited one Amish farm, but it was part of a tour. I don't recall if an Amish family still lived there, and indeed, we didn't meet any Amish folks directly, but the tour was very interesting and informative.
I think the interactions we see in this film between the Amish and the "English" are greatly exaggerated, or at least show very unusual instances.
I agree. One of the film’s achievements is the way they portray the Amish. You don’t see them as weirdos or people to laugh at. They come across as intelligent, respectable human beings in this movie.
shareThe Amish are not "marginalized". They have chosen to be where they are and live how they live. They don't think of themselves as any kind of victims.
shareWhile they may not take on the role of a victim they most certainly can be, and doubtlessly have been, marginalized. Just because they accept the ignorance of those around them with dignity does not make them any less marginalized.
shareI watched this movie again the other night and still cannot believe how disrespectful some people are. They are literally treating the Amish people as if they're animals in a zoo and sadly this is really what it's like for them.
I can't imagine behaving this way toward anyone. I don't go to zoos either. I hate them.