Masonry and exposed tattoos

[slimjim93 0]

I have been looking into masonry now for a few years, my problem is, would I be looked down on for having "tatty" tattoos exposed on my hands? 

From the outside masonry looks upper class, where as myself would feel I wasn't up to the standard (if that's the right way to put it) I have tattoos on my fingers (not offensive) just "stay true" across my fingers as well as a shaded rose which take up the whole of my left hand. 

I was wondering what people would think as some people (older generation) believe tattoos are for thugs etc,

Basically only asking as dont want to be judged for some Ink.

Edited October 10, 2022 by slimjim93

[Mike Martin 143]

Hiya and welcome back, it's been a while.

Your tattoos alone would not cause a problem, unless they were extremist or generally socially unacceptable, because we are looking more at your character when we are considering whether you would make a good Freemason. As an aside, while some people don't like tattoos forget age it's nothing to do with that. It's just that some people just don't like tattoos, my Dad's 75 and he's got more than me.

While it is obvious that some Freemasons are posh just as many and probably more are not and just are normal blokes who you will down the Pub on a Friday or at the football on a Saturday. As I said to you before it is one of the most open and welcoming organisations you would ever get involved in.

As I'm nosey, can I ask what went wrong last time you were here? 

 

 

[slimjim93 0]

Hi Mike, multiple things really, new child, new career aswell as abit of  covid here and there and also abit of doubt to be honest. I'd probably say to the point of abit of self doubt.

[Mike Martin 143]

Well same offer as before, you're more than welcome to ask any questions here.

[Medic 12]

WE are doing a first next month to a chap who is a tattoo artist.

[Bootlebuck1 14]

I hope you continue your contemplation, I initiated a new brother just prior to our summer break, who sports a full sleeve on both arms, as stated earlier, it’s the man we’re interested in, not his body art. I would encourage you to at least make enquiries on here, and if you think we might be wary of anyone who has tattoos on his fingers, that are not offensive, in fact “staying true” is something Freemasons advocate, not look down upon. Once people get to know you, nothing else matters. We act formally during our meetings, we’re most masons wear gloves, but socialise like everyone else outside them. 
It might be an idea to speak to a membership officer of a lodge or a Masonic province within the area you reside……tell them about yourself, what you do, and why your curious, I think that’s the best way forward…..you might be pleasantly surprised, 

[Sontaran 91]

I've been away from the forum for some considerable time, but had to comment on this ..

We had a member who, in his younger days had love / hate tatooed on his knuckles. He had grown to regret having them. He was the nicest individual you could wish to meet; we accepted him with open arms on the strength of his proposer (who happened to be my IPM). He fell on hard times - but his masonic membership was the one thing he kept going. He died during the pandemic, and specifically asked his daughter to let me know. She told me that whenever he was feeling down, the thing that kept him from going under was the knowledge that - whatever the rest of the world might think of him, he knew his brothers had his back and saw the man, and not the outward appearance.