I've been a Freemason for over twenty years in the UK, and like others here have experienced a wide variety of different types. It IS a tenet of the society that members should not seek to exploit their membership for gain and that too has been my experience. But folks do like to deal with like folks whether it's the local Morris team, golf club, Am Dram society where they meet or not.
As has been said above, hman nature is the issue and there is good and bad inn all.
Freemasons in this country DO give vast amounts of money (as well as time) to charities - non-masonic ones and international disaster relief funds too.
For some members it is merely a dining club. For others who take the teachings and allegorical rituals seriously it adds a philosophical and moral dimension which many find lacking in modern life. Others enjoy being on committees and organising events.
For me, one of the best things was typified by the time when I visited another lodge and at the dinner afterwards sat and talked with 4 others...one a High Court Judge, one a window cleaner, one a business executive, one a nurse.
There are few opportunities where one may get to meet people from such diverse backgrounds - and we all benefitted from each other's perspectives on life.
I've also seen younger men transformed over a number of years, growing in confidence as they take on more Masonic work. People who could never have imagined themselves public speaking, organising events and so on.They had clearly grown in confidence, understanding and mutual respect.
I have no hesitation in recommending you join.
Joe Soap