The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-03-26
ABOUT TURKISH BATHS.
Pecuiiarities OF a City Bathing
Establishment.
Some of the Tricks of Attendants and 0d-
dihes of the Customers.

"There are tricks in every calling it
seems said the proprietor of a fash
iorable Turkish bath establishment
in New York.
"What peculiar tricks are in your
business?' inquired representative
of the Mail and EGpresS.
"In the massage operation much de-
lception is frequently practised by the
operator. In the first course after
leaving the sweat bath hand rubbing
is given with warm water. This is a
very delicate and soothing perform
ance, and when rightly administered
places the bather in splendid condi-
ton to receive the flesh brush. Expert
operators can with well-feigned labor
slight their work and leave the bather
in doubt whether the performance is
satisfactory or not. 1t is done by
noise chiefly The hands in running
over the flesh are raised and brought
down hurriedly, producing a series Of
pops, pops, which is music to the ear
i of the manager. 1t does not hurt, but
at the same time it is not as beneficial
as rub. When the operator pops a
great deal he is doing the bather--so
to speak-up, rushing things to get
through. Some bathers though prefer
these popping operators. The popping
is in the massage as aourishes are in
writing. entirely superhuous, but still
ornamental when produced by experts.
Some old operators can carry on a
conversation by means of the pops. /
remember had two operators who had
attained to this proficiency. A mil
lionaire was stretched on one of the
massage tables and dry-goods clerk
on another near by. The operator for
the former conveyed the intelligence
to the one for the latter that he ex-
pected a big tip. The latter answered
in disgusted tone, telling Of his cheap
customer and predicted no tip. The
millionaire did not tip, but the cheap
clerk did, much to the surprise of his
customer.
But these attendants or operators
deserve great credit for their skill and
frequently for their torbearance and
good nature. Customers are often ex.
acting and want double the amount Of
scrubbing others get. There is {
wealthy old gentleman who is a bull
in the market and regular bear in
the bath-house. He has a habit OF
imagining that OH certain portion Of
his body a cancer will come because
many generations ago, a second cousir
Of his grandfather died with one. Fol
this reason he has an hour consumed
in scrubbing that particular place
He doesn't pay any more either. Thes'
are some of the drawbacks experienced.
"You often have queer customers,d
you not?"
"Yes, plenty of them, from the full
fedged crank to the monomaniac ant
mild idiot. An old lady imagines tha
; by regular course of sweating sh
can change her disposition and idea
entirely. In every seven years. sh
said, we take on new form, and
propose system Of sweating to do i
in year or less time Poor thing
; she stays in the hot room until the per
; spiration fairly rolls off her. But it i
doing her good and her ideas are evi
IDENTIFY improving. A young crippl
thinks his withered arm will grow ou
again, and takes bath every day.
could mention many other cases. Th
attendants soon learn to humor tn
9 cranks and pity human nature"