I see

[islaydarkblue]

They tend to do it less directly in my experience by asking which school you went to, where you come from or what team you support. It seems to mean a lot to a certain type out west.

I was once asked by a guy on my first day at a new job in Prestwick which team I supported, of course I said Dundee. The immediate response was 'but you must support either Celtic or Rangers too'. That wasn't a question by him it was a statement. Obviously I was aware of what he was getting at and told him I was a Welsh Methodist - he'd no idea how to take it and said 'well, at least yer no a Tim'.

Another trick was to shake hands with a person to try to find out if they were a mason.

[Deeranged]

Another trick was to shake hands with a person to try to find out if they were a mason.

But how can you tell? I've shaken hands with plenty people but have never been able to tell just by a handshake that they're a mason or that they aren't a mason.

[BCram]

But how can you tell? I've shaken hands with plenty people but have never been able to tell just by a handshake that they're a mason or that they aren't a mason.

There's a strange pressure over the knuckles of your index and middle finger. You just think it is an idiosyncratic handshake and it doesn't mean anything to you because you don't know the appropriate response. Not a Mason so the explanation I was given might be a load of rubbish and my leg was being pulled!

[islaydarkblue]

But how can you tell? I've shaken hands with plenty people but have never been able to tell just by a handshake that they're a mason or that they aren't a mason.

When I was a member of Lochee Private Bowling Club bowlers used to shake hands before a game and I have received many ‘funny’ handshakes from opposing bowlers. I even received one from a fellow member of Downfield Golf Club who I knew was a past master of a Masonic lodge after the end of a golf match.

[Deeranged]

When I was a member of Lochee Private Bowling Club bowlers used to shake hands before a game and I have received many ‘funny’ handshakes from opposing bowlers. I even received one from a fellow member of Downfield Golf Club who I knew was a past master of a Masonic lodge after the end of a golf match.

I am also a Past Master of a Masonic Lodge, I can assure you that unless that other member of you bowling club knew you were a Mason he wouldn't have given you any 'funny handshake'.

[Mudskipper]

I am also a Past Master of a Masonic Lodge, I can assure you that unless that other member of you bowling club knew you were a Mason he wouldn't have given you any 'funny handshake'.

You beat me too it ,I’m a mason also and I don’t go around shaking peoples hands to find out if if I get response to it ,you’ve pretty much met most of them when visiting different lodges anyway ,also the the whole OF huns connection is surely orange lodge and not Scottish blue ,past master of my lodge was a practising catholic …I don’t hide the fact I’m a mason if it comes up but I don’t go shouting it either it makes no difference to me ,met some very interesting people from some walks of life that I would never have got close to ,for some it’s to get out the house to others it’s a constant fund raiser for local issues no biggie….

Also the days of driving drunk everywhere and getting off because plod was a mason are long gone…unless you were councillor Tam Mitchell …!!!

[Deeranged]

You beat me too it ,I’m a mason also and I don’t go around shaking peoples hands to find out if if I get response to it ,you’ve pretty much met most of them when visiting different lodges anyway ,also the the whole OF huns connection is surely orange lodge and not Scottish blue ,past master of my lodge was a practising catholic …I don’t hide the fact I’m a mason if it comes up but I don’t go shouting it either it makes no difference to me ,met some very interesting people from some walks of life that I would never have got close to ,for some it’s to get out the house to others it’s a constant fund raiser for local issues no biggie….

Also the days of driving drunk everywhere and getting off because plod was a mason are long gone…unless you were councillor Tam Mitchell …!!!

A lot of people think Freemason Lodges and Orange Lodges are the same thing unfortunately. I know plenty Catholics, Jews, Muslims you name it that are Freemasons, and I'm sure you will too. Freemasonry is inclusive and pretty welcoming of anyone that's an honest and upstanding member of society (Prince Andrew needn't bother). These guys of non Protestant 'religion' would never be welcome in the Orange Lodge which is a bigoted organisation based on some truly atrocious and divisive beliefs and opinions.

For the record I also know some members of the Orange Lodge who are also members of Freemason Lodges, mostly they don't bring up their extreme opinions in the proper lodges.

[Mudskipper]

A lot of people think Freemason Lodges and Orange Lodges are the same thing unfortunately. I know plenty Catholics, Jews, Muslims you name it that are Freemasons, and I'm sure you will too. Freemasonry is inclusive and pretty welcoming of anyone that's an honest and upstanding member of society (Prince Andrew needn't bother). These guys of non Protestant 'religion' would never be welcome in the Orange Lodge which is a bigoted organisation based on some truly atrocious and divisive beliefs and opinions.

For the record I also know some members of the Orange Lodge who are also members of Freemason Lodges, mostly they don't bring up their extreme opinions in the proper lodges.

I’ve only known one member of an orange lodge who called his son William…..I just left it at that….

[islaydarkblue]

I am also a Past Master of a Masonic Lodge, I can assure you that unless that other member of you bowling club knew you were a Mason he wouldn't have given you any 'funny handshake'.

I can assure you that I have had numerous ‘funny handshakes’ when I played friendly bowling matches on a Saturday afternoon representing Lochee Private Bowling Club. It only happened once when I was a member of Downfield GC. The rest of the time I received a normal handshake from my fellow golf club members.

[noahrab]

I can assure you that I have had numerous ‘funny handshakes’ when I played friendly bowling matches on a Saturday afternoon representing Lochee Private Bowling Club. It only happened once when I was a member of Downfield GC. The rest of the time I received a normal handshake from my fellow golf club members.

Only a fool doesn’t recognise a masons handshake.