There is no PA Dutch word for “dating,” but the Amish use the English word when they need it.
The Amish consider romantic relationships to be private, so courtship is practiced secretly, while parents look the other way until the couple comes to ask their permission for marriage.
Amish young people can choose whoever they want for their mate, but if they want to remain Amish themselves, they need to marry within the faith (or date someone who has intentions of joining the faith). Very rarely, a non-Amish person might join the Amish church to be able to marry an Amish person.
Dating often starts with a boy offering to take a girl home after a Sunday evening sing, which is one of the places young people socialize. When a couple is more serious, a boy can visit the girl at her house after her parents have gone to bed on a Saturday night when there’s no church on Sunday. They sit in the living room, where most parents require a light to be on, and visit, sometimes with other couples.
Originally published at www.padutchcountryblog.com.
Debbie says
October 29, 2013 at 5:23 pmI so LOVE Lancaster county and can’t wait to return.
Chris says
October 29, 2013 at 5:24 pmTotally agree Debbie. There is just something special about the timeless beauty in Lancaster.