The Great French Mustache Strike of 1907
Workers usually go on strike to improve wages and working conditions. Leave it to the French to mount a historic strike for the right to grow a mustache. A full mustache was a prestigious mark of men’s social class in Europe in the early 20th century. Policemen were required to grow them to project authority and masculinity. Waiters rebelled when restaurant owners forced servers to shave their faces clean as a sign of their lower-class social status. During the dinner hour on April 17, 1907, an estimated 500 servers stopped dishing food, took off their aprons, and walked out, clustering on the street as diners looked on. The waiters also demanded a share of diners’ tips and the right to take one day off a week. They had support in Parliament, where one
socialist deputy proposed a bill to outlaw mustache bans (which also applied to domestic servants and priests). The deputy called the restaurants’ mustache rule “grotesque and humiliating.” After 16 days, restaurant owners caved to servers’ mustache demands and implemented a fairer pay structure. The waiters, however, lost their bid for one day off each week. The French have long been famously quick to stage work stoppages. At 112 days on average, the country leads the industrialized West in days lost to strikes each year. The nation’s strike culture is linked to its history of revolt, including the 1789 French Revolution. Withholding one’s labor is a constitutional right in France, whether you are a union member or not.
And the mustache had long been a mark of status
in Europe. Centuries earlier, Germany only permitted soldiers who had distinguished themselves in battle to grow mustaches. In France, the military requirement to wear mustaches became so strict that soldiers who couldn’t grow one had to wear a fake mustache. shave relegated them to the domestic servant class. As one French newspaper of the time declared, the waiters’ victory secured the right “to finally show that they are men, free men … who can wear at their ease this symbol of the all-powerful male, the mustache. Oh! The beautiful independence!” No wonder the French waiters took their facial hair so seriously. Being required to
What Homeowners Must Reveal In a House Sale Full Disclosure
of interest. Sellers should be open about the property’s history: Have any major crimes occurred there? Deaths? And what about flooding or major disasters? If requested, potential issues with the physical condition of the property should also be disclosed. These include foundation cracks, roof leaks, structural problems, pest infestations, or electrical or plumbing problems. Environmental concerns, if known to the owner, are another potential deal-breaker, including asbestos, lead paint, soil contamination, or radon gas. Any construction work that was performed without a permit is considered significant. Many cities and towns have online databases showing the permit histories of the properties, and whether the permits are still open.
The state provides an optional form, the Residential Property Disclosure Statement, requesting that sellers include all material facts in their responses. While any seller could choose to make no representations whatsoever and tell buyers to “do their own diligence,” this may not be the most direct pathway to selling. Being open about known issues not only fosters honest communication but also protects against future litigation. Selling or buying real estate is a complex process that can be confusing, and seeking professional guidance can help. Don’t hesitate to contact us for legal advice on your real estate transactions. We will happily ensure you meet all the requirements while reaching your personal goals!
Most existing houses have some unique feature that might affect their market value, from a creaky floorboard to the ghost of Aunt Hepzibah lingering in the attic. Some sellers are tempted to hide any quirks that might affect the sale price of their home.
A seasoned real estate attorney would have a word of advice for those sellers: Don’t do it!
Real estate owners in Massachusetts are legally required to reveal to prospective buyers any information that could affect the property’s sale value, safety, or marketability. This includes “material facts” in any of five areas
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