Public recognition

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

 

Nobody?

 

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!!!

 

I introduced myself and shook his hand with a grip. But still nothing.

 

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

 

Maybe he knew you were in the guard....lol

 

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.

 

If I was you I would call BS on them.

 

Agreed!!!

 

Exactly!

 

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)

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

That reinforces my opinion that you should call BS on him.

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