Research On The Amish

Although the Amish people live thousands of kilometers away in the United States, I feel I already know them. Or at least, part of their culture evident from the memorabilia my father brought home after a visit to their community. It was a beautiful pot holder quilted from colour patches, and filled with fragrant cinnammon. Unfortunately, it did not withstand the march of time and we had to throw it away. However, that piece of handicraft made me appreciate them as good craftsmen.
I have also researched their lifestyle, and learned that they dress plainly and do not really bother about their looks. They lead simple lives away from modern technology. In extreme cases, they do not even use light bulbs at night, relying on candles. The Amish home my father visited in Philadelphia does have electric lighting, but no computers or television sets. If the Amish want to make a telephone call, they have to make their way to town. They do not own motor vehicles, and walk on foot or travel in bullock carts.
The worlds of the Amish and Singapore are as different as chalk and cheese. The Amish lead simple lives, while we thrive on technology. They do not own vehicles. On the other hand, Singaporeans cannot imagine life without one, and those who have one are dreaming of buying an even bigger one when they can afford to. By walking about, the Amish get good exercise. We simply vegetate and children are getting more and more obese despite admonitions from the Government. The Amish do not rely on electrical appliances; we would not think twice of buying a 42 inch TV set for the bedroom.
So, who are the happier people, the Amish or Singaporeans? Sometimes, I think that Singapore would do well to imbibe some Amish values, and perhaps vice versa. In the rush towards First World, many things have been sacrificed in Singapore -- like family values, spending a quiet evening at home without the distraction of TV or computer,etc. Of course, technology is important to all of us. Just do not let it smother ourselves in the process.