The Sultan and His PeopleOscanyan, C. (Christopher)
History
The Sultan and His People
Oscanyan, C. (Christopher)
Turkey -- Description and travel; Turkey -- Social life and customs
Immediately after the process of shampooing or rubbing, the marble
font having been filled with water of the desired temperature, it is
poured over the person of the bather from the brass tass, or bowl,
used for the purpose by the attendant. The person is now thoroughly
washed with perfumed soap, again water is poured over him in abundance,
and he is finally enveloped in the havlous, or large napped towels,
manufactured in the country expressly for the purpose, and admirably
adapted to absorb moisture.
Now perfectly purified, with a sensation of languor, the bather
proceeds to the dressing saloon, where, as he reclines upon luxurious
cushions, his whole being seems momentarily lost in that dreamy repose
of half-conscious existence, which is the true kief of an Oriental.
He is only awakened to real life by the assiduities of his attendants,
some gently fanning him, and others presenting sherbet, coffee,
pipes, etc.
The fatigue and languor gradually pass away, as, with a sensation
of renovated existence, he reposes until the heat of his body is
reduced to its natural temperature. His toilette being completed, he
surveys himself in a small enamelled mirror which is offered to him,
and after depositing upon it the amount of money compatible with
his own station in life, he quits the precincts of this luxurious
establishment, light, joyful, and contented.
The Hamams being altogether charitable institutions, there is no fixed
price demanded from visitors, for the use of the bath itself--it
being entirely left to their own option. But the personal services
of the attendants, and the wear and tear of the splendid bathing
paraphernalia not being included in the same category, an adequate
remuneration is of course expected. This also is left to individual
generosity; in ordinary cases, from half to three quarters of a dollar
is sufficient, but there may be no limit to a person's munificence,
nor to the attentions bestowed upon him.
A gentleman of rank once visited a bath where he was an entire
stranger, and although he was not treated with even ordinary
politeness, he left on his departure a sum of money far beyond the
expectations of the attendants, which, opening their eyes, forced them
to make a thousand apologies for their remissness, and protestations
for the future. The gentleman soon after gave them an opportunity to
retrieve their former errors, and contrary to their excited hopes
rewarded them with a couple of piasters (about 8 cents) observing,
"This is what you merited on my first visit, and what you then received
is the equivalent for your present services."
The money collected at the bath is divided into two portions; one
of which is for the Hamamgy, or proprietor, and the other is shared
among the attendants.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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