I've been asked to join the Freemasons

[Davie_GLA]

dirty boy said:

Sym7 said:

sleep envy said:

it's not a secret society but a society with secrets

Why the need for secrets?

There is no need.

And besides, pretty much everything you'd ever want to know is available from all good book stores and google.com

Yes, but how do you know what you are reading is FACT? At not some made up nonsense that we want you to believe?

[GTIR]

What's the ettiquet with regards to asking a friend or colleague if they are a member?
It's not like they will go around shouting about it, just like I wouldn't mention I'm a member of Pistonheads unless it came up in conversation but why would Masonry?

I know some very old school people where I live who I'm sure will be part of it but how do I ask, or don't I. Ever!



Interesting thread. A first for PH?

[Soovy]

G_T said:

dirty boy said:

And besides, pretty much everything you'd ever want to know is available from all good book stores and google.com

That's a good point actually. Last bit from me I promise.

OP if you decide to go for an initiation you should resist the urge to google the ceremonies. They're good fun and you'll ruin it for yourself if you know what they entail beforehand.

This. 1000%.

When I had my initiation my Dad refused to tell me what would happen.

I am glad he didn't it would have spoiled it.

[Davie_GLA]

Mr Sea said:

rednotdead said:

Mr Sea said:

G_T said:

OP,

One thing I would mention though is that you need to let them know if you're allergic to donkeys. You'll understand why after your initiation.


Thanks GT, Are you being serious with the above?

I can't work out if that is a serious question Mr Sea........ he's only pulling your leg.

Oh
I've heard it can cost a small fortune to be and stay an FM, what we talking here, ££, £££, ££££?

Again, depends entirely on what you want to do. Yes there is a financial commitment. Again, this is something you should ask the chap who asked you. He, i presume, will be your proposer.

[rednotdead]

Mr Sea said:

I've heard it can cost a small fortune to be and stay an FM, what we talking here, ££, £££, ££££?

Depends on the Lodge. As an example mine is £90/yr for membership plus my dining fee and whatever I choose to put in the charity colection.

There is a joining fee which again varies by lodge - usually c£100 or so..... This is a one off payment.

Edited by rednotdead on Thursday 17th December 11:53

[Mattt]

escargot said:

bazking69 said:

Sounds like a waste of an evening a week to be couped up in the company of self important ponces.

Can't work out whether that was a joke or just a pointless message meant to provoke?

Well it's better than 7 nights a week on PH with the company of self important ponces.

[WorAl]

GTIR said:

What's the ettiquet with regards to asking a friend or colleague if they are a member?
It's not like they will go around shouting about it, just like I wouldn't mention I'm a member of Pistonheads unless it came up in conversation but why would Masonry?

I know some very old school people where I live who I'm sure will be part of it but how do I ask, or don't I. Ever!



Interesting thread. A first for PH?

Shake their hand, they'll do that camp hand shake thing if they are.

[Mr Sea]

Davie_GLA said:

Mr Sea said:

rednotdead said:

Mr Sea said:

G_T said:

OP,

One thing I would mention though is that you need to let them know if you're allergic to donkeys. You'll understand why after your initiation.


Thanks GT, Are you being serious with the above?

I can't work out if that is a serious question Mr Sea........ he's only pulling your leg.

Oh
I've heard it can cost a small fortune to be and stay an FM, what we talking here, ££, £££, ££££?

Again, depends entirely on what you want to do. Yes there is a financial commitment. Again, this is something you should ask the chap who asked you. He, i presume, will be your proposer.

Yes, he is the treasurer and doesn't want to progress any further than his seat, as he can't remember (or be arsed) the book.

[Davie_GLA]

Once you become familiar with some of the symbols relating to FM, you can quite easily pick people out from a crowd be perhaps simply noticing a ring or a chain the might have on.

Anyone watched that show with leepu? I forget the name of it, but bernie has a Square and Compasses round his neck.

D

[dirty boy]

Soovy said:

G_T said:

dirty boy said:

And besides, pretty much everything you'd ever want to know is available from all good book stores and google.com

That's a good point actually. Last bit from me I promise.

OP if you decide to go for an initiation you should resist the urge to google the ceremonies. They're good fun and you'll ruin it for yourself if you know what they entail beforehand.

This. 1000%.

When I had my initiation my Dad refused to tell me what would happen.

I am glad he didn't it would have spoiled it.

Agree, same here.

[WorAl]

DAVID_GLA, im not a member?? why did you ask?

[confused_buyer]

Costs vary a lot - generally most of the cost is for the building where you meet, this obviously means a London based lodge is usually a lot more expensive than one in a small town. Typically they're £100-£150 a year which cover rent/heat/light of the building, general admin costs, Grand Lodge subscription etc. On top of that there will usually be a dining fee which is frequently a bargain (£10-£15 for 3 or 4 course meal) but, again, in some City of London lodges it'll be £65 so check it out. On top of that it's down to what you want to put into the Charity Box and your bar bill.

[Davie_GLA]

WorAl said:

DAVID_GLA, im not a member?? why did you ask?

A mistake on my part, clearly.

Apologies.

D.

[Justayellowbadge]

confused_buyer said:

On top of that it's down to what you want to put into the Charity Box and your bar bill.

Bar bill? There's a bar?

I wasn't told of this.

Time to fill out that form, methinks.

[scotal]

Davie_GLA said:

I forget the name of it, but bernie has a Square and Compasses round his neck.

D

Not sure that's a massive advert in favour of Masonry tbh.

[Davie_GLA]

No, i agree, but i meant it as an example, not an endorsement.

and yes, there is a bar. And it is replenished regularly!

[sebo]

Just reading the craft rules from the book of constitutions and it's quite cryptic in places. It's more down to the language used, guess it dates back to 1815 afterall (if i read it correctly).

[Silent1]

Marf said:

*Do you believe in a higher power?

you see that's a clever question, because it doesn't mention religion so you can say yes without being religious and without lying.

[Davie_GLA]

Nothing clever about it. It's a yes or no answer. You will never be asked what it is.

[Daisy Duke]

DJFish said:

I work down the road from the Grand Wizard's lodge.
Which is also the HQ of MI5 if Spooks is to be believed.

Yes I've always found that funny too.

DJFish said:

My wife was put though (masonic) private school after her Dad (also a mason)died when she was very young.

A friend of mine was similarly helped when her father died.

sleep envy said:

wm for me next year...

I thought the others were joking when they referred to you as the boy wizard!