only odd men join organisations like the Masons

[GoodGriefSunshine]

Maybe I have just been unfortunate but the only men I have ever met that belonged to the Masons (...Rotary etc) have been kind of odd. Let's just say, not attractive to women types. Mummy's boys, odd-bods who are into train spotting and sci-fi in too big a way. The kind of men you feel may be a little on the boring side. What sort of men join these predominantly men's clubs and what is appealing about wearing aprons and performing bizarre rituals?

wow you're not very nice are you OP?

Agree, it's very odd.

You do know there are women's lodges, OP?

I think it’s often men who struggle to make friends with other men in situations such as work or sports teams or the pub or whatever. So they are often socially different to the norm

It makes sense that men who aren't particularly successful in most areas of their lives would want to join a little secret club that makes them feel special

I know rather more Masons than is perhaps average for some reason. 2 are gay, the rest (around a dozen) straight. My ex became a Mason some time after we split. They were a great source of support for him when he had custody issues a few years later with another girlfriend.

As far as I can make out it's a big drinking club.

And they are all successful in their own rights.

All of the men I know in the Masons / Rotary etc have been rich / wealthy and very kind. They are usually family men with lovely kids and encourage their entire family to muck in and do charitable work.

I would think someone odd for joining the masons, whatever gender. But I know some lovely trainlovers and sci-fi geeks, I think you're off the mark there.

You are wrong to think they are all like that. Many are business men and professionals. They are usually involved with charities and supposed to help each other which I believe is one of the reasons they join. There is a social side to it as well which also includes wives etc.

I totally agree OP

I feel the same about women below 60 who are into knitting - boring and unattractive.

What's wrong with sci-fi?

And as for the WI... less said about those types the better!

I know a good few Masons and Rotarians and none of them fit your description. One of them was in fact a very attractive, young, outgoing colleague of mine. They do some great things for charity. All of the guys I know who are involved are lovely people, all very sociable and generally charismatic.

Is this some sort of competition to get as many unpleasant strereotypes into one thread as possible.

Nice.

My dad is in the masons and their ethos or philosophy is kindness to all he can't tell me much about it but there are people from all walks of life they include everyone and do a lot for charity and the community
I don't think my dad is odd or any of his Masonic brothers they are pretty "normal"

Im not a fan of the Masons at all, but I have to say round here your characterisation is entirely innacurate. There are definitely some wannabes but in the main they are people who are well paid or on their way to being well-paid or who think they're well paid i.e people motivated by status and money. I know 5 people in the masons. One is an HR director, one is a retired finance director, one is a famous actor and 2 are younger and are building up businesses as tradespeople. I'd say the commonality is aspirational, vote tory, motivated by money and a but self important. Not at all socially awkward, more mouthy me me me types.

People I know in the local rotary club are fairly average dads from school or retitees who put on beer festivals and firework displays. Ok some beardy real ale types but again, not what I'd immediately think of as oddballs.

The strangest group of folks in an organized group I’ve met were the members of a local photography club. Just... odd

It's just Scouts for grown ups

How do you know who is a Mason?

DH was in the Masons for a while and he's neither odd nor unattractive nor is he a Mummy's boy or train geek.

It's mostly 40-80 year old mostly middle-class, mostly successful men raising money for charity and having a nice dinner together once a month. Not much drinking, either. Round Table the same but a bit more of a business/networking thing.

The ones I know fit into the kind, wealthy, entrepreneur types. They are all extremely successful and have been members for years. I don’t think it’s quite the funny handshake, let you off speeding club it once was.

My eldest (10) strongly detests football and is into sci fi. The whole school and boy social dynamics seem to revolve around football. It’s hard to find like minded people at 10, let alone adults. So I can see how it could attract like minded people.
In the same way the football fans stick together, the rugby fans together etc etc same shit, different name.

This is a seriously mean-spirited thread.

The 'masons' in our village when growing up were all the local small businessmen.
The grocer, postmaster etc.
The only ones invited to join we're the ones that had some power and political interest with an element of charisma.
They were all family men.
They were mostly revered.

The founding principles of Rotary are to serve- and they have the very successful polio eradication programme.

Granted there are some odd fish in all organisations and some Rotary clubs are very outdated in their outlook (not all) but a lot give their time and money to improve the lives of others and the community.

I know two ladies who were orphaned, one at 6 months. They were provided for and educated at a Masonic boarding school.They've both had very successful careers in public service, one of them has received an MBE for services to young people. Their entire lives have been dedicated to public service and they proudly describe themselves as masonic orphans. I'm puzzled at why male only organisations are treated with such suspicion.