Old-Biscuit wrote:
If I didn't approach and engage in a conversation with the guy and his 2 girls in the horse drawn buggy I wouldn't have had a the great experience that occurred.
Learned a lot first hand about the Amish Culture and people.
even got invited to their farm which was a real blessing.
At CG right near Devils Tower, WY we came out one morning to find 6 Japanese girls sitting at our pic-nic table having their breakfast.
Instead of running them off we engaged with them. Found out they thought they were in a 'park' .....very apologetic about taking our space/table and were ready to pack up. We convinced them to stay, finish breakfast and enjoy their moment. Very interesting conversation.
Engaging with folks IS part of Life's Journey and can be beneficial to both.
I think the Amish are most likely accustomed to that. This friend and his neighbors feel as though tourists are treating them as objects or characters put on display instead of hard-working residents. Cultures differ. The picnic table incident happens often. I pretty sure my friend isn't addressing that.
Crowe wrote:
Please don't mistake curiosity for nosiness. If they are asking these questions it's quite possible they are trying to learn, possibly so they don't commit a faux pas. A polite "I'd rather not answer" should do the trick. That said...
1. Follow the rules. Period. This includes in RV parks. If the rule is no dogs then don't take your dogs, etc.
2. Agree about the parking issue. Have been too many places where rigs are just taking up too much space.
3. Behave. Don't exhibit bad behavior under the guise of "I'm a tourist".
4. Look up the word "respect" in the dictionary and practice it.
Crowe, good list of pointers.
There are places in the US and Canada where curiosity IS viewed as nosiness or rudeness. Asking personal questions about someone's clothing is considered rude in a number of places. Bringing up someone else's religion isn't considered polite either, in my friend's area or in a number of places. Very personal questions (clothing, religion, politics) are not a good way to interact in a community and with a people who are new to you.
