Forgot another one -- pitching in to help. Family efforts, community efforts, if you see someone doing a job that seems large, you just might pick up a rake, a garbage bag, or tool and go help just because you see a job that needs doing and someone that needs help. If you have a little free time, or even if you don't, you chust pitch in. A barn raising is an example where one family needs a LOT of help and you and the whole family take food and go help. The men and boys work on the barn, the women make, serve and clean up after lunch and then the ladies quilt the afternoon away while the men finish up that barn. Or a bunch of PA Dutch ladies get together to make chow chow. Everyone brings garden produce and their own mason jars, cuts up and peels the veggies, parboils it all, makes the liquid, and seals it in Mason jars. Everyone takes home quarts of it for winter eating. Ten women working all day can make a heck of a lot of delicious chow chow just from their home garden bounty.
My Grand mother was Swiss German and my Grand father was English. They were Tomato farmers in Cambridge Maryland starting 100 years ago. My mom is 91 and i and 59. My mom has all the traits mentioned and they rubbed off on me growing up. Excellent video!!
Hi Douglas, Thanks for you videos! I'm Jewish and grew up hearing the old folks speaking Yiddish and picked up a lot of words and basic phrases. In college I took Yiddish 101 where I learned the grammar and structure. Then I worked with Hasidic Jews where Yiddish was constantly spoken. I learned a lot but was never that great at it. I started watching your videos and would think wow PD is so easy, not realizing it was because of my Yiddish background. It's funny (& a little embarrassing as a Jew) that at this point in my life, I could probably follow a conversation in PD better than I could one in Yiddish! Keep up the great work!!!
Billy, glad you told your story. I find it so fascinating that our little language touches so many people from so many different backgrounds. Mach's gut!
As PA Dutch, I say, many are stubborn. Ach du liebe, so friggin' stubborn, not willing to give in when doing a tough job, for example, or when trying to fix a piece of equipment, determination. Sticking with the old ways. Also a very racy sense of humor, so racy that one has to speak the punch line of a joke in PA Dutch so the kits don't hear. So funny. Lots of teasing amongst my boy cousins toward me, the only girl. All in good fun though; the PA Dutch are willing to laugh at oneself too -- everyone laughs heartily and enjoys laughter. Frugal in terms of ability to stick to a budget and make a nice life without spending a ton of money, not liking to see wasteful spending, like buying "name" women's handbags, spending money on fake nails, tons of jewelry, etc. Save for a rainy day. Women's love of handwork, sewing, quilting, the old ways being treasured and preserved. Valuing life skills -- basketry, making your own clothing, growing all one's food, gardening...my grandmother only had an 8th grade education but by the time she was 14 she was keeping house for her father, feeding all the farm help during harvest time, and knew everything about producing and preserving food, tending the sick, baking on a woodstove, cooking, making scrapple, smoking meats, and even things like tatting lace and knitting. She knew many many life skills and some, not all, PA Dutch, try to preserve those skills and find value in them. In being able to know, IF YOU HAD TO, how to do things for the skill of knowing that.
Herr Professor, how could you forget to mention the trait of frugality? Around here, in the Lehigh Valley, and down into where I grew up, in the Indian Valley, we'll say that someone who is frugal, especially frugal to a fault, or even cheap, is "being Dutchy". I take that one one step further, and mix it with a modern reference-when I see a bargain, I'll say my Dutchy sense is tingling. Also, there were Germans who settled around the confluence of the two branches of the Susquehanna, too. My dad's people settled there, just after the French-and-Indian War. His grandparents still spoke the dialect, but they didn't pass it on. I think WW I had a lot to do with that. Machs guat, mei Liaba, servus!
Lol, I use that Dutchy sense a lot! My dad was a teen during the Great Depression, so he learned how to stretch a penny. And when I was a kid in the 70's and 80's he taught all about coupons, clearance, Green Stamps ( miss those) etc. Well with computers, I've been able to take it to the next level. I hate the term " extreme couponer" because of the negative connotation but I AM a strategic couponer with a nice stockpile I've built and rotated. And with that I can somewhat control what I spend, I'm covered for some emergencies, I'm able to donate, gift and barter with it too. I hope I've made my dad proud!
My mom is from Bavaria and we were raised with all of these same values, we grew up as Jehovah's Witnesses in Michigan. I've always liked and admired many things about Germans and the Amish. I live in central Indiana now and happily interact with many Amish. I liked your point that when you are on a farm, you have to work hard! Frugal, yes. I just read the same qualities in the Swabians. I think you might like looking at the tremendous similarities with that culture. Based on my limited understanding of epi-genetics and quantum physics, there is much research that shows that more than 95% of the human experience is nurture. Robert Sapolsky has published a book called "Why Zebra's Don't Get Ulcers" that is fascinating. He and I differ on the evolution/creation debate but I really enjoyed his research and very fun way of presenting it.
Oh yes the Swabians are well known for that trait. But keeping their money together is not everything they are well known for; there is also a saying in dialect that describes a German trait that seems to be especially strong among the Swabians: "Net g'meckert isch' g'nug g'lobt!" (Translates to: If you do not mutter about something, you have already praised it enough. It describes very well our straightforwardness; if a German shares criticism on something with you and is rather listing up the negative things you can read between the lines :"Anything not mentioned is already very very good and I have no idea how it could be further improved!")
I would add uncomfortable with public affection. Or maybe even affection as a whole. As a 36 year old man thinking back I may have only hugged my dad 6 or seven times in my life.
Hard working, God-fearing, loyal - but don’t cross our paths, honest, opinionated, STUBBORN, family-centered and frugal. We tend to not like wasting things. We’re also kind, down-to-earth, genuine and selfless people.
PA Dutch are stand off-ish. They can be hard to welcome outsiders. They are leery to some people until they get to know them. Once you get to know them, you are friends for life.
VERY true; people who marry into my family from other cultures or areas of the country can find themselves never totally accepted unless they are loveable sociable individuals; then they can be completely accepted. They have to take some teasing first though as a sort of initiation. Those who groan or grumble or are just too southern or whatever, have to do major charm offensives to be accepted. We are very clannish. But yeah, once you are accepted by us we will do anything for you. Anything.
My experience growing up in Berks County was that the PA Dutch tend NOT to be into politics but tended to be “conservative’ in the traditional sense. In politics “conservative” used to mean not opposed to all change, but just to RAPID change and the chaos in brings. Today “conservative” has come to mean support of greed, selfishness and hate and applies to pathological liars like Trump. Eisenhower would be branded a communist by today’s “conservatives”. So the word “conservative” can’t be used to describe us. But how about ‘traditionalists”. I don’t know how many would vote for Sanders, but I’d find it very depressing to think any PA Dutchman would vote for someone who lies as much a Trump.
@@rickbady2281 - Right... because liberals don't lie... Hillary never lied... the MSM never lies.... YOU never lied... you're all as pure as the driven snow....
@@rickbady2281 You said "Today “conservative” has come to mean support of greed, selfishness and hate". I don't know any conservative that thinks it means that.
Since you suggested leaving other traits, here are a couple: frugality and practicality
Yeah, I can't believe he left out frugality.
And frugal how could I miss that one. We still feel like nothing should ever be wasted.
Came here to say that!
How about "efficient"
Is it frugal to conserve resources be sustainable?
Forgot another one -- pitching in to help. Family efforts, community efforts, if you see someone doing a job that seems large, you just might pick up a rake, a garbage bag, or tool and go help just because you see a job that needs doing and someone that needs help. If you have a little free time, or even if you don't, you chust pitch in. A barn raising is an example where one family needs a LOT of help and you and the whole family take food and go help. The men and boys work on the barn, the women make, serve and clean up after lunch and then the ladies quilt the afternoon away while the men finish up that barn. Or a bunch of PA Dutch ladies get together to make chow chow. Everyone brings garden produce and their own mason jars, cuts up and peels the veggies, parboils it all, makes the liquid, and seals it in Mason jars. Everyone takes home quarts of it for winter eating. Ten women working all day can make a heck of a lot of delicious chow chow just from their home garden bounty.
My Grand mother was Swiss German and my Grand father was English. They were Tomato farmers in Cambridge Maryland starting 100 years ago. My mom is 91 and i and 59. My mom has all the traits mentioned and they rubbed off on me growing up. Excellent video!!
You can tell a Dutchman anything you want, you just can't tell him much!
Very funny!
100% accurate. I am married to one! There should've been some kind or warning or disclaimer or waiver on the marriage certificate before I signed!
Hi Douglas,
Thanks for you videos!
I'm Jewish and grew up hearing the old folks speaking Yiddish and picked up a lot of words and basic phrases. In college I took Yiddish 101 where I learned the grammar and structure. Then I worked with Hasidic Jews where Yiddish was constantly spoken. I learned a lot but was never that great at it.
I started watching your videos and would think wow PD is so easy, not realizing it was because of my Yiddish background.
It's funny (& a little embarrassing as a Jew) that at this point in my life, I could probably follow a conversation in PD better than I could one in Yiddish!
Keep up the great work!!!
Billy, glad you told your story. I find it so fascinating that our little language touches so many people from so many different backgrounds. Mach's gut!
Strong willed and stubbornness ,the never give up attitude
Elie Phant could be it’s a Dutch thing🙃
As PA Dutch, I say, many are stubborn. Ach du liebe, so friggin' stubborn, not willing to give in when doing a tough job, for example, or when trying to fix a piece of equipment, determination. Sticking with the old ways. Also a very racy sense of humor, so racy that one has to speak the punch line of a joke in PA Dutch so the kits don't hear. So funny. Lots of teasing amongst my boy cousins toward me, the only girl. All in good fun though; the PA Dutch are willing to laugh at oneself too -- everyone laughs heartily and enjoys laughter. Frugal in terms of ability to stick to a budget and make a nice life without spending a ton of money, not liking to see wasteful spending, like buying "name" women's handbags, spending money on fake nails, tons of jewelry, etc. Save for a rainy day. Women's love of handwork, sewing, quilting, the old ways being treasured and preserved. Valuing life skills -- basketry, making your own clothing, growing all one's food, gardening...my grandmother only had an 8th grade education but by the time she was 14 she was keeping house for her father, feeding all the farm help during harvest time, and knew everything about producing and preserving food, tending the sick, baking on a woodstove, cooking, making scrapple, smoking meats, and even things like tatting lace and knitting. She knew many many life skills and some, not all, PA Dutch, try to preserve those skills and find value in them. In being able to know, IF YOU HAD TO, how to do things for the skill of knowing that.
Herr Professor, how could you forget to mention the trait of frugality? Around here, in the Lehigh Valley, and down into where I grew up, in the Indian Valley, we'll say that someone who is frugal, especially frugal to a fault, or even cheap, is "being Dutchy".
I take that one one step further, and mix it with a modern reference-when I see a bargain, I'll say my Dutchy sense is tingling.
Also, there were Germans who settled around the confluence of the two branches of the Susquehanna, too. My dad's people settled there, just after the French-and-Indian War. His grandparents still spoke the dialect, but they didn't pass it on. I think WW I had a lot to do with that.
Machs guat, mei Liaba, servus!
Lol, I use that Dutchy sense a lot!
My dad was a teen during the Great Depression, so he learned how to stretch a penny.
And when I was a kid in the 70's and 80's he taught all about coupons, clearance, Green Stamps ( miss those) etc.
Well with computers, I've been able to take it to the next level.
I hate the term " extreme couponer" because of the negative connotation but I AM a strategic couponer with a nice stockpile I've built and rotated. And with that I can somewhat control what I spend, I'm covered for some emergencies, I'm able to donate, gift and barter with it too.
I hope I've made my dad proud!
My mom is from Bavaria and we were raised with all of these same values, we grew up as Jehovah's Witnesses in Michigan. I've always liked and admired many things about Germans and the Amish. I live in central Indiana now and happily interact with many Amish. I liked your point that when you are on a farm, you have to work hard! Frugal, yes. I just read the same qualities in the Swabians. I think you might like looking at the tremendous similarities with that culture.
Based on my limited understanding of epi-genetics and quantum physics, there is much research that shows that more than 95% of the human experience is nurture. Robert Sapolsky has published a book called "Why Zebra's Don't Get Ulcers" that is fascinating. He and I differ on the evolution/creation debate but I really enjoyed his research and very fun way of presenting it.
Oh yes the Swabians are well known for that trait. But keeping their money together is not everything they are well known for; there is also a saying in dialect that describes a German trait that seems to be especially strong among the Swabians: "Net g'meckert isch' g'nug g'lobt!" (Translates to: If you do not mutter about something, you have already praised it enough. It describes very well our straightforwardness; if a German shares criticism on something with you and is rather listing up the negative things you can read between the lines :"Anything not mentioned is already very very good and I have no idea how it could be further improved!")
I would add uncomfortable with public affection. Or maybe even affection as a whole. As a 36 year old man thinking back I may have only hugged my dad 6 or seven times in my life.
I never saw my wifes parents even hold hands. In fact the family used to joke you can tell how many times their parents had sex - count the kids.
Sounds very familiar
Sounds very familiar
Sounds very familiar
Yes!
My parents weren't very big on hugging. Though they did, just not as much as others.
But instead, I'd get the " hair ruffle "
My mom's PA Dutch Aunts used to say to her when she was a teenager: "Oh, so pretty, but for those spots". Honesty :)
Hard working, God-fearing, loyal - but don’t cross our paths, honest, opinionated, STUBBORN, family-centered and frugal. We tend to not like wasting things. We’re also kind, down-to-earth, genuine and selfless people.
Good traits! I inherited all the PA. Dutch traits!
I agree, it is a little bit of both, BUT the german comes through strongly for sure, haha. Watching from Germany
Alles Gute und viele Grüße
PA Dutch are stand off-ish. They can be hard to welcome outsiders. They are leery to some people until they get to know them. Once you get to know them, you are friends for life.
VERY true; people who marry into my family from other cultures or areas of the country can find themselves never totally accepted unless they are loveable sociable individuals; then they can be completely accepted. They have to take some teasing first though as a sort of initiation. Those who groan or grumble or are just too southern or whatever, have to do major charm offensives to be accepted. We are very clannish. But yeah, once you are accepted by us we will do anything for you. Anything.
Are there any PA Dutch Philosophers? (other than Prof. Schnitzel) ;-)
Every old Dutch farmer you meet is a philosopher.
Mich würde interessieren, ob in eurer Gemeinschaft bestimmte Geschichten, Lieder oder Märchen heute noch weiterleben, z. B. zu Weihnachten.
Lieder, ja. Märchen un Gschichten net so viel.
You mentioned the "plain" Pennsylvania Dutch. Do the Amish consider you "English" like they do the regular English speaking world?
I am "English" in the sense that I am not Amish.
Stubborn Stubborn Stubborn OMG Stubborn !!!!
You bin in big valley
Yes sir.
Will PDs vote for Bernie Sanders?
no
My experience growing up in Berks County was that the PA Dutch tend NOT to be into politics but tended to be “conservative’ in the traditional sense. In politics “conservative” used to mean not opposed to all change, but just to RAPID change and the chaos in brings. Today “conservative” has come to mean support of greed, selfishness and hate and applies to pathological liars like Trump. Eisenhower would be branded a communist by today’s “conservatives”. So the word “conservative” can’t be used to describe us. But how about ‘traditionalists”. I don’t know how many would vote for Sanders, but I’d find it very depressing to think any PA Dutchman would vote for someone who lies as much a Trump.
@@rickbady2281 - Right... because liberals don't lie... Hillary never lied... the MSM never lies.... YOU never lied... you're all as pure as the driven snow....
@@rickbady2281 You said "Today “conservative” has come to mean support of greed, selfishness and hate". I don't know any conservative that thinks it means that.
No!