|
Alan Campbell
|
Posted 13/03/2010 07:24:20
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 04/02/2012 12:02:46
Posts: 1,247,
Visits: 2,228
|
Sometimes it should be, i would have great fun racking my brother to get all those secrets out of him.lol
|
|
|
|
|
RoughAshlar
|
Posted 13/03/2010 07:29:55
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 18/08/2011 15:00:20
Posts: 118,
Visits: 391
|
The gents made some fun jokes about "Bring out the rack" and "Where's that chair with the straps on it?" and similar before the meeting was in session.
Perhaps they saw I was a little apprehensive and wanted to make me at ease with some general silliness? Probably.
The gent who is, or is soon to be, the SW asked the questions as the WM is away and another chap is running things in his absence. It was all very straight forward. He let me know that he would be writing my answers down verbatim, so in order to be kind to him I sought brevity rather than my usual verbose way.
Nodding heads and "good answer" came up a few times.
I think the only clanger I dropped was citing a comment that a gentleman at the Grand Temple in town told me about twenty-something years ago relating to his perception of the Supreme Being. The concept he conveyed to me all those years ago was that GAOTU is both supremely benevolent and malevolent as is its will. Seems to make sense to me at least, despite that idea being somewhat removed from some other systems of belief.
When I was asked what questions I had, I told the assemblage that there were none as I had already asked all of my questions when I had first met the gentleman who vetted me and accepted my application. Truthfully, there were none more to be asked as I had asked him about a lot of things in order to clarify my research. There is only so much that a profane can really find out, I think, and so much of that is inaccurate and some of it is a furphy (deliberately misleading) for whatever purpose.
On the way home from the meeting I realised that there were two questions, but they were dress protocol issues being "what collar is permitted with dinner suit in Lodge?" and "Gloves - do I need them for my initiation?" - in other words very tame stuff that I've solved with a little searching of the UGLNSW website and magazines. I'm a bit sensitive about obeying formal protocol correctly as I have a quasi-military-diplomatic background where the wrong collar would be a grave insult in certain mess / function conditions.
More to the point...
If someone searches in years to come and finds this thread before their Nomination Committee meeting, the good advice of the other good members of this forum is to be listened to: dress appropriately, relax, be friendly but not overly familiar, answer and ask truthfully.
Hmmm... sounds like the way one should live one's life actually. :)
Cheers - RoughAshlar.
|O| IG - Lodge Ku-Ring-Gai No. 1033, Turramurra NSW, Australia.
Visit my Mother Lodge at http://www.facebook.com/Lodge1033
Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/Lodge1033 ...Tweeting Masonically!
|
|
|
|
|
lauderdale
|
Posted 13/03/2010 08:12:02
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 10/07/2011 06:43:06
Posts: 2,136,
Visits: 4,278
|
I'm glad your Interview went well, but I do NOT think it right that they should have made jokes about "The Rack" etc. For a prospective candidate who may already be very nervous this could be counter productive. It certainly would NOT set my mind at rest or make me less anxious, far from it! This interview is of key importance both to the Lodge is ensuring that anyone selected to join them and become a Freemasons is suitable and for the applicant as this is the first step on their potential Masonic career. It is to me as bad as all the rubbish some Brethren still insist in usttering about "The Goat" etc. Jokes may have their place in the bar or the Festive Board after a Meeting but not before a very important matter such as the candidate's Interview.
|
|
|
|
|
RoughAshlar
|
Posted 13/03/2010 08:55:45
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 18/08/2011 15:00:20
Posts: 118,
Visits: 391
|
Things may be different where you are, dear Lauderdale.
In Australia, we have a kind of larrikin sense of humour which often involves self-deprecation or negative humour jokes. The purpose of those is to make it plain that the thing mentioned in the joke is quite the opposite of what will happen purely because it's so obviously ridiculous and improbable.
While I mentioned I was a little nervous, I am confident that they acted in the best of faith and fraternity to make me feel welcome and it was not off-putting in the least.
I'm 40, grey at the temples and well, if you could see me, it's rather obvious that I'm no wilting lily. By my age, in AU, the vast majority are rather resolute and confident men and not easily made sufficiently uncomfortable to walk away from something of such importance so easily. While we're not "Right 'ard" as some UK folk would say, we're rather solid types generally and vary in behaviour, dialect and manner by region in a city or by state pretty much as folk do in UK and elsewhere.
Maybe a younger and less experienced man would walk away, but I am certain that the gents of my Lodge adjust their words and manner to match the perceived character of the candidate. My opinion is that they are not some silly fellows who choose puerile games and taunts rather than the right purposes and sentiments of the Craft.
Besides, if someone did walk away so easily, then maybe another Lodge would be a better fit or perhaps the candidate should gain a little more life experience so that they could better gird their loins in the face of an ordeal - after all - a far bigger one based on much trust and the search for Light would face them only too soon.
I did omit that the gent who was in charge at the meeting spoke with myself and the gent who accepted my application. He said that he had been in the same place about eight years before and had been introduced by that same gent who has introduced me and that the journey ahead is worthy and worthwhile (paraphrased).
The men of that Lodge who I have met are quite typical of our area (a better part of Sydney, AU; I will add my Lodge number to my signature for this forum after initiation) and appear to be of good character, and of plentiful and deep experience in life, wisdom and the Masonic way.
Bear a grudge for our Antipodean sense of humour? Not a chance. It's our culture.
Top blokes all and looking forward to forming friendships that will last a lifetime.
Cheers - RoughAshlar.
|O| IG - Lodge Ku-Ring-Gai No. 1033, Turramurra NSW, Australia.
Visit my Mother Lodge at http://www.facebook.com/Lodge1033
Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/Lodge1033 ...Tweeting Masonically!
|
|
|
|
|
mark spain
|
Posted 13/03/2010 09:22:35
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 11/05/2011 10:36:21
Posts: 10,
Visits: 141
|
we have a similar sense of humour, and it does no harm as long as you know when to use it and who you use it to. if you actually believed they were going to get the rack out or the goat was coming out then you must have just arrived on the planet
|
|
|
|
|
RoughAshlar
|
Posted 13/03/2010 09:28:36
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 18/08/2011 15:00:20
Posts: 118,
Visits: 391
|
lol- bring the goat out!
In the past I was a hunter and I know some delightful recipes that would be well enjoyed at a hearty FB. ;)
With some fava beans and a nice chianti... :w00t:
Cheers - RoughAshlar.
|O| IG - Lodge Ku-Ring-Gai No. 1033, Turramurra NSW, Australia.
Visit my Mother Lodge at http://www.facebook.com/Lodge1033
Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/Lodge1033 ...Tweeting Masonically!
|
|
|
|
|
sojourner
|
Posted 13/03/2010 11:29:10
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 05/02/2012 20:19:16
Posts: 868,
Visits: 7,133
|
I don't think a bit of gentle and appropriate humour, to set a nervous candidate to relax is a problem, as long as it is kept in proportion and does not detract from the dignity of, or your enjoyment of, what you are about to take on.What to wear is a matter of Lodge protocol. The only time dinner suits are generally worn in UGLE Lodges (or Highland dress at Scottish Lodges), is at Installations. The style of collar is normally a matter of preference for the wearer. Generally at normal Lodge meeting over here, we wear a dark lounge suit. If it's 90 in the shade where you are (yes I am jealous) then the dress may vary accordingly. In some Lodges, the candidate would be presented with either one or two pairs of gloves, according to custom, as part of the ceremony. I think though that that practice has virtually died out (I have a couple of lectures on the gloves). I am sure that when you get your invitation to attend for your Initiation, it will state on it the dress required. If not, there will be a contact number on it (usually the Secretary) who will be only too happy to answer any queries. In the meantime Rough Ashlar, congratulations on your acceptance and may you have many years of happy association with this ancient and lovely World-wide Fraternity.
Roy L."SELUME PROFERRE"
|
|
|
|
|
RoughAshlar
|
Posted 13/03/2010 23:52:21
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 18/08/2011 15:00:20
Posts: 118,
Visits: 391
|
The jokes were in no way a removal of dignity, perhaps more just gentle ice-breakers relying on the extreme nonsensical to make one feel more at ease. I trust that these gents are men of honour and would not erode one's dignity at all.
This Lodge's protocol is dinner suit preferably, or dark lounge suit otherwise. The preference is for dinner suit as they pride themselves on formality and doing good quality work. The date and mode of dress was advised even before the meeting date was set.
We're out of the hottest part of the year now and the daily temperature is now 22C instead of 30 - 38C. They have a rather decent air-con which covers both Temple rooms and both Souths, so penguin suits won't be too uncomfortable. :)
I would guess that the gloves might be given as I was told there was nothing to bring on the day, other than being suited up, ready and BYO cheque-book. They confirmed my preference for my name on an engraved tag as one of my references had used the diminutive form, usually only used by close friends, and I advised to use the full version on the tag but as friends they could use the short one to address me.
Thank you for your well-wishes, Sojourner. This is a journey long overdue and one one which I am very much looking forward to embarking.
Cheers - RoughAshlar.
|O| IG - Lodge Ku-Ring-Gai No. 1033, Turramurra NSW, Australia.
Visit my Mother Lodge at http://www.facebook.com/Lodge1033
Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/Lodge1033 ...Tweeting Masonically!
|
|
|
|
|
lauderdale
|
Posted 14/03/2010 12:19:56
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 10/07/2011 06:43:06
Posts: 2,136,
Visits: 4,278
|
Indeed Bro Rough Ashlar I can accept that the sense of humour in Oz is far more "robust" than that in England. As you say it is cultural diference. As to myself I keep humour locked up in its cage and it is not let out for serious or formal matters. As I have said here many times "I don't do humour". Still, in your own case it did not adversely affect your Interview and that is to the good. Personaly, knowing that there is a risk that some potential candidates could be badly affected by such jokes rather than set at ease, and unless you know the person well that might be an unintended outcome, I would leave them out and conduct it in a friendly but formal manner. BTW I am 57 in a few months and quite probably more grey-haired than yourself.
|
|
|
|
|
chestnut
|
Posted 15/03/2010 08:00:17
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: Yesterday @ 13:20:40
Posts: 1,022,
Visits: 5,566
|
I like Steve, and I have also mentioned this before, there is no need for silly humour about goats, racks etc. There are far more appropriate ways of putting a mind at rest. How about being nice!
We are making fun of ourselves and what we stand for and do. If this is what a candidate sees, is it not surprising that many do not take it seriously either!
David
|
|
|
|