I generally use "I see you're a travelin' man" because I think it is a nice, friendly way to greet someone new. It's not a real method of "trying" someone, nor does it need to be. I am not going to meet someone for the first time in Walmart, a restaurant, or a party and start discussing Masonic degree work with them.
For that matter, if I bump into one of the members of my own lodge in one of those settings, esoteric work isn't going to really be discussed, either.
There is a difference between recognizing someone as a Mason and trying someone.
I've heard of that question but if its asked of a member of a Scottish Lodge like me you may get some rather odd answers - in my case, "Sixteen hundred and seventy-nine"!Same here!
Although I know that some of our Scots brethren like to ask each other how old their Mothers are, with the answer being the Lodge's number apparently.
I have been asked this question but instead of "mother" it was "grand mother".Same here!
Although I know that some of our Scots brethren like to ask each other how old their Mothers are, with the answer being the Lodge's number apparently.
What are tricky questions another Mason may ask you if you're being tried
I've heard a similar exchange.My late father was a PM, and I remember as a kid, whenever we'd see some "stranger" and him greet each other as old friends, we'd ask my mom, "Fireman or Mason?" It was always one or the other. The only question we caught, though, was "I see you're a traveling man. " To which my father replied, "Have you been to the East? "
Same here. When first raised I asked my mentor how he handled this time of situation. I thought that there must be some formal, secret way that Masons introduced themselves. He told me that he stuck out his hand and said "Hi. My name's Mark I'm from lodge so and so. What lodge are you from?'. So much for the secret greeting, lol.I generally give my name and Lodge affiliation when approached...or Brothers approach me and give their name and Lodge affiliation..
True. When I first joined I asked my mentor how I should respond if someone should ask me something like "Are you a traveling man?" I figured that there was some super secret reply. My mentor advised me to stick out my hand and say "Hi, I'm so and so from such and such lodge. Where are you from?" Lol.They arent official in any jurisdiction.