Introduction to Amish Phone Usage
A resident of central Minnesota has shared intriguing photographs of an Amish community’s unique phone setup. While sharing a communal phone is a common practice among many Amish groups, the specific configuration depicted here is truly exceptional. Before delving into the details, it’s important to recognize that Amish communities adapt their use of communication technology in various ways. Below are three prevalent approaches, although they are not exhaustive:
Option 1: Complete Absence of Personal Phones
At one extreme are the traditional Amish who refrain from owning or using personal or community phones altogether. These groups rely solely on face-to-face interactions and written correspondence. In emergencies, they may borrow a neighbor’s phone, but generally, they avoid telephones within their immediate environment. For example, the Swartzentruber Amish are well-known for this practice, emphasizing simplicity and separation from modern technology. Business dealings are conducted through direct visits or written communications, aligning with their values of minimal technology interaction.
Option 2: Use of Smartphones with Restrictions
On the opposite end are the more progressive Amish individuals involved in commerce who own smartphones. However, their usage is often regulated; they may restrict smartphone use to specific hours or keep devices outside the home, such as in work trucks or designated areas. Some adults in these communities utilize smartphones with internet access, particularly in bustling Amish regions like Lancaster County or northern Indiana, to facilitate business activities while maintaining community standards.
Option 3: Shared Community Phone Systems
A practical compromise is the shared community phone, a communal device accessible to multiple households. These are typically housed in small, rudimentary structures located at strategic spots like roadside corners or farm entrances. Such setups resemble tiny shanties and are often mistaken for outhouses by outsiders. The purpose is to balance communication needs with community guidelines, allowing Amish families to stay connected without individual ownership of phones. Different Amish congregations establish varying rules regarding phone usage, leading to a spectrum of practices within the broader Amish world.
A Unique Amish Phone Setup
The specific phone system documented by our reader is quite unusual. It isn’t housed within a traditional structure but is instead placed outdoors in a simple protective barrel. The reader recounts that he assisted a local Amish individual with troubleshooting a noisy and intermittently cutting-off line, which was connected to a blue barrel positioned at the end of a long driveway, near a gravel road. The phone line had issues such as static and poor clarity, requiring intervention from the phone company, CenturyLink. Interestingly, the phone was shared among several families, making it a communal resource.
This outdoor setup is particularly noteworthy because it involves a basic barrel acting as weather protection, with papers, scribbled notes, and an ‘Amish taxi’ business card stored underneath. The group using this setup appears similar to the Troyer Amish, a subgroup known for their plain lifestyle, though not as austere as the Swartzentruber Amish. The simplicity of this arrangement exemplifies functional practicality within their community, although it is quite unconventional compared to more formal setups.
Evolution of the Phone Arrangement: A Two-Year Update
Two years later, the same individual provided updated photographs revealing significant changes. The original barrel was replaced by a more permanent metal shelter, offering improved protection and comfort. Inside this new structure, one can observe a basic chair, newspapers, a telephone directory, a notebook with contact information, prepaid phone cards, and various writing utensils. Despite these upgrades, the shelter remains modest, lacking heating or insulation, possibly relying on being indoors during cold weather for comfort.
This evolution suggests a community that values practicality and adapts to weather conditions, replacing makeshift solutions with more durable structures over time. Our reader speculates that the initial barrel was a simple, short-term solution, which became insufficient during harsh winters. The upgraded shelter provides a more secure environment for communication during extreme cold and wet conditions, illustrating how Amish communities balance simplicity with functional improvements.
Additional Resources and Insights
- The Amish & Phones
- The Amish & Technology
- Not An Outhouse: The Amish Phone Shack
- A Closer Look at Amish Phone Shacks (11 Photos)
- Are the Amish hypocrites?
- How many types of Amish are there?