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Grips?

BroJordan

Registered User
When meeting a fellow brother for the first time, when you shake hands, should you go for the grip or just a standard handshake? Had this discussion with a few brothers the other day and we all came up with a different response.


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crono782

Premium Member
I just handshake. One person doing a grip and the other not is as awkward as a poorly executed high five. ;)


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Jamarr/G\

Registered User
I always give a standard handshake to another person. Unless I've examined him and find him to be a worthy brother. Even if he gives the grip first I will not follow unless I know for sure..
You can never be to careful these days I've seen more frauds than an home insurance company: )

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Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
Personally, you should never use any grips or other modes of recognition, unless you and the person exchanging with know each other to be Masons, by proper examination.

I feel that we are becoming complacent and careless with our modes of recognition.
 

towerbuilder7

Moderator
Premium Member
I agree with Brother Owings..............Masonic Grip is a privilege, for those who have been duly and truly examined, and are found to be a Brother Mason.......I take the "Rights, Lights, and Benefits" very seriously, as ALL MASONS SHOULD...........If He is a worthy Brother, and was properly educated, he won't mind being examined......................BRO JONES
 

Ben A.

Registered User
I will use the grips as part of examining a visiting brother in lodge who has presented a dues card from a recognized lodge. Alternatively, the Tyler's Oath can be administered but I have found out that not all jurisdictions (including mine) require the newly raised MM to know the Oath. I agree with Bro. Stewart that we have become too complacent with our modes of recognition.
 

jhumphrey7205

Registered User
Well I would say that like it says in the 2nd degree work, "only your judgement will determine when to give or answer signs and roles".

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Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
Personally, you should never use any grips or other modes of recognition, unless you and the person exchanging with know each other to be Masons, by proper examination.

I feel that we are becoming complacent and careless with our modes of recognition.

I don't think so. If I gave a specific grip to someone who isn't a Mason, they wouldn't know what happened, which is exactly the point. If they don't recognize it, then it works. If they do recognize it, proceed ;)
 
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Michael Hatley

Premium Member
I've been caught off guard a few times by Masons recognizing my affiliation and giving me a grip, or asking me "How long have you been travelling, Brother?".

The first time I was given the grip I about jumped out of my socks, it was a fellow who I would not have expected at all - was a great surprise.

Personally I wouldn't spring that on someone unless I somehow knew for certain the other fellow was a Mason.

When a good Brother asked me how long I'd been travelling I replied something along the lines of "not too long, I live just down the road" to which he chuckled and it took me a second to catch the reference....we had a good laugh about it.

But nowadays when I recognize another Mason I ask "What lodge have you traveled from, Brother?" and tap my ring :)
 

Tx4ever

Registered User
Why would someone who I have sit in lodge with , and knows me to be a mason without question, give me a token?
 

JTM

"Just in case"
Premium Member
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It's pretty common to give a grip, I've found, even though I usually don't reciprocate. Most people are satisfied with a sticker on my car, which I understand, but yeah. I don't even do the EA
 

dawg65779

Registered User
I agree the Grips of a Brother Mason goes along with the degree's we were taught. I meet another Mason the grip tells me if he is my brother, its no different then the passwords they are required to be in lodge


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JTM

"Just in case"
Premium Member
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As long as it's given in the same way you learned it.
 

Mosaic

Registered User
I give a regular handshake. If one attempts to give me a grip, we'll have a conversation so I'll know where he "comes from."
 

dawg65779

Registered User
Usually i get call Hiram or some will say I see you were knocked in the head, little things to start a conversation with another Mason and then the grip


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dfreybur

Premium Member
Why would someone who I have sit in lodge with , and knows me to be a mason without question, give me a token?

Having been together at a tiled meeting there's no need to exchange dues cards so it's not about identification so it has to be about something else. To me it would be an extra bit of fellowship.
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
As long as it's given in the same way you learned it.

There are subtle variations jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The variation in the grips is small to zero as they are pretty basic. The variation in the other modes are more noticeable but they are always recognizable.
 
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