Gelassenheit

• Gelassenheit is a German word that means submission or yielding to God's will. All Amish learn from early in their lives that God values a quiet spirit, a person who puts God first, others second and the self third. Amish families practice this in helping each other, parents and older siblings teaching younger ones the values of a simple Christian life, teaching by example. The Amish express this value in every facet of their lives.
  
  

Modesty

• Modesty and simplicity are expressed among the Amish by their clothing, home decorations and architecture. Amish women and girls wear long dresses and caps. Amish men and boys dress simply in shirts, trousers and suspenders. When Amish children make crafts, perhaps to sell at farmer's markets, they don't pride themselves on the craft, except to appreciate that the hotpad or the beaded key-chains are useful and well-made. Amish food is nurturing to body and soul, but not fancy.
  
  

Practicality

• Amish value the practical and the useful, admiring function over form. Well-made, long-lasting tools are useful and usually simple but effective. The simplicity of Amish clothing is also practical for farm families who do hard physical work every day. Tall rubber boots are worn when working in a mucky farmyard or in the barn. For an Amish person to take up and use an item, it must be useful.
  
  

Hardworking

• All of the Amish work hard, within their capabilities. Young children help their older siblings and their parents by carrying in the wood or sweeping the floors. A boy or girl of 10 or 12 will have learned to plow, to bake, to milk, to swing a hammer. Most Amish are rural and live on farms where communal, family work is necessary to tend the garden, bring in the cows or crops. Amish men and women work all day, from early morning chores to making the evening meal. Many times, work might extend into the evening if a big task is necessary such as threshing wheat or harvesting corn.
  
  

Humor

• The Amish are not a doleful people who worship God in drudgery. Rather they express an appreciation, a joy in life, and laughter is common. Gentle teasing among brothers and sisters, and use of nicknames is rife in Amish culture. The Amish enjoy their lives and humor is a large part of a rich family life.