Mennonites in Belize

  Now these other 3 branches of the Mennonite tree are not higher-class or more educated. Since they have not been as closed as the Old Colony and KG have been for centuries, they have accepted some influence of the "English" or "worldly" community concerning manners for their own benefit.   Old Order Mennonites of central and south Belize, who were originally Pennsylvania Dutch but have accepted Mennonites from the north, are more mindful of their public behaviour than the KG and Old Colony people. I have dealt with many of them as customers and never really experienced anything that most girls would call "gross" and "yucky". Females are extremely shy and show very little skin except for their faces and hands. Their skirts reach down to their shoetops; though it's wide it has tucks and folds to keep it from flying up in the wind. Personal cleanliness is paid more attention to among this group. Perhaps it is because they are spiritual-minded...

  Among most German-speaking, or "Russian" Mennonites, the meaning of etiquette is largely unknown, especially among the older ones.   The Old Colony folks from northern Belize would appear very disrespectful to someone who is not used to their culture. For example loud belching, burping in someone's face, farting in front of people and while eating at the table, picking your nose with your fingers during mealtime and fixedly staring at people with their mouth open, etc. Other than that they are warm and hospitable to guests and visitors. Girls are very shy; the mothers strictly teach their daughters about the proper way to sit and play while wearing a skirt.    Not so much among the Kleine Gemeinde; girls are admonished to watch their skirts but since their dresses are made very wide and loose fitting, it can be somewhat challenging for pre-teen girls, specially during playtime and for those tomboys. Now as far as "minding your manners", there are the libera...