They reckon each degree of Masonry has its own handshake ( token ) I've shaken hands with a few people I suspect could be members but am still not any wiser. They also use key words/ questions if they suspect others of being members like: "How old is your mother" and Are you a travelling man " so if someone you shake hands with digs their thumb in and asks if your travelling to see your 'how old" mother they could be a Freemason.
I was once told that freemasonry is not a secret society, it a society with secrets. It would seem, and I'm not saying this is factually correct, that each degree of freemasonry has a new level of secrets about the society and it is this desire to know these secrets that drives its members to pay more for each level. If you like, it's a like bit like a freeium app. It costs nothing to join (aside from a little personal humiliation) but you will get nothing out of it unless you are prepared to pump money into it.
The basic concept of the handshake remains the same but with slight variant on positioning of the knuckle pressed by the thumb and fingers. I was told the the most common intro question once a handshake has been confirmed is 'are you on the square' which is supposed to be confirmed with 'yes I am on the level'.
I've never been knowingly stitched up by a mason so can't say whether its good or bad - I guess it's a case of whatever rocks your boat
