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Public recognition

Andymac40330

Premium Member
So before I became a mason I used to hear other masons talk about being able to tell if someone else was a mason or not just by looking at them. They would look at a guy in the mall and say "he's a mason!" Or see someone across a parking lot and say "I don't think that guys a mason" and neither party was wearing anything that screamed mason (hat, shirt, ring, etc.).

Today I met a mason through a third party friend who casually mentioned that I was also a mason to which he replied "well I don't see anything that would give me that impression". My friend knowing I wasn't wearing a ring or anything else said "well he's not wearing anything today" and the guy says "he doesn't have to be" and kind of walks off.

I haven't been instructed (unless I missed it) as to how this could be done? If anyone could clue me in it could eliminate a lot of confusion down the road. If this is a question better asked at lodge or answered through a P. M. then by all means let me know. I'm just a little confused by that whole transaction.

In brotherly love...
Andy
 

BroBook

Premium Member
I am not really sure my brother, this is my first time seeing one of your post I think , but when you enter a room you should greet them sincerely and wave, walking upright, but all that being said, it matters not whether others think you were I, p & r, as long as you were!!! WWE, AMEN,SMIB!!!
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Not knowing how you presented or carried yourself in the Brother's presence, it's impossible to say.
 

Andymac40330

Premium Member
I am always respectful and courteous but not sure if I should act or look for people acting in a different manor?
 

JJones

Moderator
In my opinion, it's usually easier to tell who -isn't- a mason that it is to tell who is. Even that only works 70% of the time though, as some masons aren't very...masonic if they don't think any brethren are around.

I wouldn't fret over the brother you mentioned. There are thousands upon thousands of other brethren out there and the majority of them are far more friendly than that.
 
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dfreybur

Premium Member
Men who are or should be Masons comport themselves well. Just enough to stand out in a group but not enough to stick out from the group. A bit more balanced and serene.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
In my opinion, it's usually easier to tell who -isn't- a mason that it is to tell who is. Even that only works 70% of the time though, as some masons aren't very...masonic if they don't think any brethren are around.

I wouldn't fret over the brother you mentioned. There are thousands upon thousands of other brethren out there and the majority of them are far more friendly than that.
Agreed!!!
 

Andymac40330

Premium Member
He was very secretive and according to our mutual friend, always is. He asked me the age of my grandmother, which I was prepared for. Are there any other common sayings that I could use / encounter that I should be aware of? ( once again, feel free to direct me to lodge or PM for direction)
 

ej6267

Registered User
I think it's a little thing called Confirmation Bias, that most human tendency to recollect the hits and forget the misses.
 

Mike Martin

Eternal Apprentice
Premium Member
He was very secretive and according to our mutual friend, always is. He asked me the age of my grandmother, which I was prepared for. Are there any other common sayings that I could use / encounter that I should be aware of? ( once again, feel free to direct me to lodge or PM for direction)
Ask him about his Lodge, ie name, number, when it meets and which Grand Lodge it operates under. That usually sorts the wheat from the chaff, as a pretending Mason will bluff whereas an actual mason will tell you freely.
 

Andymac40330

Premium Member
Ask him about his Lodge, ie name, number, when it meets and which Grand Lodge it operates under. That usually sorts the wheat from the chaff, as a pretending Mason will bluff whereas an actual mason will tell you freely.

I tried looking up the lodge that he mentioned and couldn't find it, although I may have forgot the lodge number.
 

Andymac40330

Premium Member
That could be the problem he is an impostor!!!

I hope not, but I suppose that could be the case. I've just never encountered someone so private and cryptic about their membership. I don't hide or deny my membership to this great fraternity to anyone.
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
I hope not, but I suppose that could be the case. I've just never encountered someone so private and cryptic about their membership. I don't hide or deny my membership to this great fraternity to anyone.

You didn't know we keep everything a secret, even with our own brothers. Lol
 

Mike Martin

Eternal Apprentice
Premium Member
I hope not, but I suppose that could be the case. I've just never encountered someone so private and cryptic about their membership. I don't hide or deny my membership to this great fraternity to anyone.
That reinforces my opinion that you should call BS on him.

That is exactly how non-Masons imagine we are about our membership.
 
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