I'm writing a story about Turkey and I have some questions because the information I find on this and other websites is not always the same. If you can help me, I will be very pleased.

1. A 'tellak', is that always a man? If not, what is the word for females working in a hammam?

2. Is the correct spelling 'nargileh' or 'nargile'? (Even the dictionary here gives both).

3. Nasreddin Hodja stories I love, are there more examples of 'typical' Turkish humor (if it exists)?

4. Is the term 'hamam oğlanı' still used as an euphemism for homosexuality or is that from earlier times?

5. Can anyone tell me about the tradition/habit of fortune telling from coffee ground? Especially the 'advises' I'm looking for, what can you see in the coffee ground?

Thanks for helping me.

1. A 'tellak', is that always a man? If not, what is the word for females working in a hammam?
there must be women tellak's too if there are their name must be tellak too cos i never heard a special form for women.(by the way i didnt think if there are women tellak's may be all friends are tellak's of each other..who knows..
2. Is the correct spelling 'nargileh' or 'nargile'? (Even the dictionary here gives both).
Nargile.

3. Nasreddin Hodja stories I love, are there more examples of 'typical' Turkish humor (if it exists)?
Hacivat & Kargoz (well known shadow game)
Temel Jokes ( Jokes about a northern Turkish man- also can be described as Laz Jokes. The name of Northern Turkish people..one of them is writing those words
Cem Yılmaz( The man who loughes me most-best stand up showman.
To be continued..
i am continuing..thats a Sample horrible Laz Joke..

4. Is the term 'hamam oğlanı' still used as an euphemism for homosexuality or is that from earlier times?
Do not believe in films a lot..


5. Can anyone tell me about the tradition/habit of fortune telling from coffee ground? Especially the 'advises' I'm looking for, what can you see in the coffee ground?

My mother can however i cant..cos i can just see dinasoures or bulls.. joke apart bird:news horse:your desire will come true lines:ways fish: money,presence..best thing in fortune telling with horse..

Thanks for helping me.

Not at all..

will i continue now??aa anyway byee..

Thanks oeince & armegon for your reply's. More is always welcome.