Some laws in different countries of the world that cause surprise
Our world is quite a funny place. It seems there are things where humor is not quite appropriate, like legislation, for example?! But no, even there some countries have managed to have a good laugh. The process of adopting such bans is particularly interesting!
- What do you think, dear legislators?
- Great idea! Let’s pass it!
Italy has always been considered and still is one of the most romantic countries in the world. However, be very careful: in the town of Eboli, Southern Italy, for example, it is forbidden to kiss in moving vehicles. Violating this law can cost you and your lovely partner a hundred dollars.
In Italy, the list of items that can come from other countries by mail and risk being sent back looks quite impressive. For example, by law, Italians cannot receive the following in a package: leather goods, photo albums, hats unless made of wood, toys, watches and their parts, bells, fruits, and shoes. And this is just part of the prohibited goods.
The island of Capri, Italy, is one of the most popular vacation spots for tourists. But there is one ban there that can create serious inconveniences for anyone who decides to go there for a holiday. In Capri, it is forbidden to wear flip-flops and sandals that make loud noises. Absolutely!
Another funny Italian law: in the city of Turin, dog owners are required to walk their pets at least three times a day, otherwise, they face a fine and eternal disapproval from their pet!
Those who want to visit Milan should start practicing smiling all the time. Remember that in this beautiful Italian city, there is a ban on being in a bad mood. The city has decreed that smiling in any situation is a legal requirement that everyone must comply with. The only exceptions are visits to funerals and hospitals. Grumpy people can be fined!
The laws of Venice prohibit feeding pigeons, being in public without a shirt, climbing into fountains, and eating sandwiches at pedestrian crossings. Additionally, diving into fountains in Rome is not allowed. The fine for feeding pigeons in Venice can reach $600, but if paid quickly, it is no more than $50-60.
Another Italian city, Monza, boasts an unusual law. In 2004, local authorities decided that keeping goldfish in home aquariums is wrong. According to the authorities, fish living in aquariums have a distorted view of the world and suffer because of it.
In the small town of Lyme Regis, England, it is officially prohibited to hit people in the face with dead eels. Yes, you read that right. You might wonder where such a ban came from? For a long time, there was a tradition in this town to wave and throw dead fish at each other, why not, right?! But in 2006, at the initiative of a group of animal rights activists, the game was officially banned.
In Liverpool, the hometown of the world-famous band The Beatles, there is a rumored law prohibiting women from going topless. There is also an exception in the law: it does not apply to lovely ladies selling exotic fish. Several sources claim that this is all made up and such a law never existed, but there is a grain of truth in every joke!
The salmon law comes from London. Since 1986, it has been prohibited for anyone to keep salmon in suspicious conditions. So be careful; who knows what conditions your salmon might consider suspicious!
Another law from Britain prohibits anyone from dying in the building of the British Parliament (the Palace of Westminster). This absolutely real and still existing law was enacted because the building has royal status, which means that anyone who dies there must be buried at the state's expense.
One can only guess what punishment is prescribed for this crime.
In Singapore, since 2004, there has been a strict ban on the import and sale of chewing gum. In this city-state, it is prohibited to buy or sell gum, and spitting it out on the street can result in a fine of $500. Feeding birds, spitting, and not flushing toilets in public restrooms are also prohibited. Fines for each violation are around $100.
In the city of Tushin, Poland, Winnie the Pooh is strictly prohibited from appearing in public places, especially in children's playgrounds. Local authorities concluded that Winnie the Pooh is half-naked and may provoke unwanted thoughts and associations in children.
Australia: pornography featuring women with too small breasts. Apparently, some Australian politicians believed that pornography with women of small breast size would promote the spread of pedophilia. The Australian Classification Board began to refuse to classify such materials to avoid the spread of this issue.
In South Australia, it is prohibited to interfere with the course of a wedding or funeral ceremony, whether religious or civil. A violator faces a fine of ten thousand dollars or two years in prison.
In the state of Victoria, Australia, anyone who is not a professional electrician is prohibited from changing light bulbs. If this ban is violated, the amateur electrician must pay a fine of 10 Australian dollars.
Melbourne boasts another interesting law: men in this Australian city are prohibited from wearing women's clothing. This law has been in place for a long time and is clearly a relic of the past. But until it is repealed, only women have the right to wear dresses! How unfair!
In Melbourne, Australia, for some reason, it is prohibited to vacuum from 10 PM to 7 AM on weekdays and from 10 PM to 9 AM on weekends. If it’s about the noise, the law can be understood, but if not?!
When traveling to France, specifically to the commune called Granville, leave your elephant at home. Or at least don’t take it with you to the beach. According to a law passed in 2009, elephants are strictly prohibited from being on the beaches in this area.
French cuisine is known worldwide. However, it was decided here that ketchup should be banned in local primary schools. The only exception when students can eat ketchup at school is when fries are served for lunch.
In France, it is prohibited to name pigs Napoleon. Perhaps they want to prevent pigs from becoming too conceited?
Here, UFOs are not allowed to land on vineyards. They can land anywhere else, but not on the grapes.
To prevent the further spread of swine flu in 2009, the mayor of the city of Coullens, France, banned spitting and coughing.
In the Spanish Palma de Mallorca, it is prohibited to ride bicycles on the sidewalk or walk around the streets in a bikini. These regulations were adopted by the city council in 2014 and are still in effect. All violators face a fine of 50 euros.
Another 200 euros will have to be paid for purchasing items from unlicensed street vendors.
In the small town of Lanjaron, Spain, there was a period when residents were prohibited from dying. The 4,000 citizens living in this town had to stay alive until the city bought land and built a new cemetery.
It is amazing that laws prohibiting dying have existed and still exist in many countries. For example, in the Brazilian city of Biritiba-Mirin, the mayor enacted such a law in 2005. According to him, the residents of the city do not pay enough attention to their health, leading to illnesses and deaths, thus overloading the already full cemetery.
The idea of time travel has become very popular in China recently, but apparently, the local government does not like it. Chinese people are not allowed to watch movies about time travel. Due to fears of distorting some historical events and biographies of famous people, China decided to ban this concept, explaining it as: “A frivolous attitude towards serious history should not be encouraged.” The creations of filmmakers that include time travel serve as carriers of ideas about reincarnation, fatalism, and awaken superstitions in people.
The Chinese language is great for puns, as it has many homophones. Numerous popular sayings, customs, and anecdotes are based on wordplay, but the Chinese government decided to ban puns out of fear of “cultural and linguistic chaos.”
In 2011, after the success of the uprising against the government in Tunisia, some Chinese began calling for their own "Jasmine Revolution," organizing weekly democracy demonstrations in the country. The reaction of the Chinese government was swift and uncompromising - the jasmine flower was banned in the country.
China is notorious for its relentless attempts to control life in Tibet. But the law passed by the Chinese government in 2007 simply goes beyond reason! It prohibits Tibetan monks from reincarnating without government permission!
Hawaii is rightly considered one of the most attractive places for summer vacations. However, lovers of loud singing at night may want to consider choosing another vacation spot. In the state capital, Honolulu, it is prohibited to sing loudly after sunset. Loud singing is prohibited, and quiet singing is not very interesting, right?
North Korea is infamously known for its dictatorial regime and total control over all aspects of citizens' lives. Tourists are not spared by North Korean laws either: visitors are prohibited from using the national currency while in Pyongyang, as well as entering any shops. This means no shopping or souvenirs!
North Korea has many crazy bans, including a ban on wearing blue jeans. Blue jeans are associated here with the country's main enemy - the USA.
In Canada, only real witches are allowed to practice magic. Only those born as witches or wizards can be witches. It is unclear how and who will verify, prove, or disprove the authenticity of a witch and the presence/absence of certain abilities. However, there have been cases of people being prosecuted for trying to pass themselves off as magicians: in 2012, one "wizard" had to part with 14 thousand dollars. That was the amount of the fine for pretending to lift a family curse from a client.
In Canada, it is prohibited to pay for an item that costs more than $25 with one-dollar coins.
Every fifth song must be performed by Canadians. The legally mandated requirement states that every fifth song played on the radio must be performed by local bands or vocalists.
According to U.S. military laws, a failed suicide attempt is punishable by law.
In some U.S. states, you must disclose if paranormal activity is the reason for selling a house or apartment.
In the city of Fort Lee, New Jersey, there is a law prohibiting texting while walking. It was enacted in 2012 to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents. Authorities took these measures due to sad statistics showing that many traffic accidents are caused by texting. People become so engrossed in typing that they do not notice when they cross the street on a red light.
According to the government of Colorado, USA, a snowball thrown at an opponent in a game is no different from a small stone or another dangerous object. Therefore, a playful snowball fight can lead to a real fine. Similar bans exist in other places, such as the city of Topeka, Kansas.
Eating in a burning house is a criminal offense in Chicago.
Citizens of Indiana, USA, who have eaten garlic are prohibited from riding on trams and going to the theater or cinema until four hours have passed after the meal.
Since 2009, a law has been in effect in Utah requiring that any alcoholic beverages be prepared for serving behind a screen or opaque glass, so that patrons cannot see the process. This barrier is called the "Zion Curtain." It is designed to protect religious people from sin and prevent children from getting the impression that consuming alcohol is normal.
Definitely, this is one of the strangest things that have been banned in America. In New York, it is illegal to walk in public places with ice cream in your pocket. Interestingly, this strange rule only applies on Sundays.
In Vermont, it is legal to walk naked down the street, but it is prohibited to undress in public.
The "Kinder Surprise" is popular in many countries around the world, but in the USA, these chocolate eggs with a toy inside are banned by law. Why? Due to concerns that the inedible toy may be swallowed. There have even been cases of people being detained for returning to the USA from Canada with the banned treat.
In some areas of Oklahoma, USA, there is a law regarding dogs. People who make "ugly faces" at dogs can be fined or even jailed.
Japanese workers cannot suffer from obesity. According to the "metabolic law," all working citizens aged 40 to 75 have their waist sizes monitored. If they exceed the "norm," which is 85 centimeters for women and 90 for men, people are helped to lose excess weight.
In 1948, Japan enacted a law prohibiting dancing in public places. Citizens were allowed to dance only until midnight in licensed clubs. This ban was initially introduced as a means to reduce the level of prostitution, which was often associated with dance establishments.
In Germany, stopping on the autobahn is prohibited even if the driver runs out of gas. A car suddenly stopping in the middle of the autobahn can become a serious problem for other road users. For this reason, a police officer can issue a fine even for a malfunctioning fuel gauge. In emergencies, drivers can rely on ADAC, the General Automobile Club, which provides medical, technical, and legal assistance. Additionally, walking on the highway is also prohibited. The fine for violating these rules can reach $100.
In the Swiss commune of Bergün, on May 29, 2017, the municipal assembly supported the idea of banning photography. According to the authorities, beautiful photos taken by tourists on vacation and posted on social media make unhappy those who cannot afford to travel to the places where they were taken. A violator faces a fine of five Swiss francs. The law does not apply to locals photographing on their own properties. Wedding photo sessions and photographing the city from passing trains are also not prohibited.
The United Arab Emirates - it is prohibited to eat and drink in public during the holy month of Ramadan. Fines can reach $275.
In the Arab Emirates, tourists must be very careful and attentive when photographing buildings. The country has many beautiful houses, but not all of them have nameplates. So, if a traveler's shot captures not an ordinary architectural structure but a sheikh's palace, a government institution, or a military facility, the unfortunate photographer may be accused of espionage and arrested.
You can also incur the wrath of law enforcement and receive a fine for a vulgar appearance on the street.
A transparent tank top or a short dress can lead to serious trouble. Especially careful one should be when choosing a swimsuit for public beaches in Ras Al Khaimah. Girls are strictly prohibited from appearing in revealing bikinis, and men in overly tight swim trunks. For the first violation, a warning is issued; for the second, a fine is imposed. As a reminder, informational boards stand on the shore urging adherence to moral standards and not wearing provocative clothing.
The reason for the ban was complaints from local residents who were offended by the presence of naked tourists nearby.
Thailand - it is prohibited to drive a car or ride a motorcycle without a shirt. The fine can amount to several hundred baht (about $10).
In Thailand, in specially protected areas with coral reefs - such as the coast of Phuket - it is prohibited to feed fish. This law was enacted by the authorities in 2016 to preserve the population of marine inhabitants, which are harmed by unfamiliar food. For violating this law, an unfortunate tourist faces a fine of up to three thousand dollars or even imprisonment.
Grenada - it is prohibited to walk in the city limits in a bathing suit. The fine can reach $270.
In 2011, the government of Malaysia banned yellow clothing. The reason was that such colors were worn by a group of opposition activists who were calling for the then Prime Minister of Malaysia to resign.
New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Montenegro... A giant fast food restaurant chain operates in most countries of the world. Nevertheless, in several places, McDonald's has been banned by local authorities. For example, you cannot taste hamburgers and fries in countries like New Zealand, the Bermuda Islands, Kazakhstan, or Montenegro.
Turkmenistan. This ban applies at least to major cultural events and television performances. In 2005, then-President Saparmurat Niyazov banned phonograms to "preserve true culture." Four years earlier, he banned opera and ballet and abolished the Turkmen State Opera and Ballet Theater named after Makhtumkuli. "I don't understand ballet," Saparmurat noted. "Why do I need it? ... You cannot instill a love for ballet in Turkmen people if it is not in their blood."
Reportedly, customs officials in Turkmenistan have refused to allow the import of black cars. They did not explain this, but recommended that importers buy white cars, as white is considered a lucky color in this Central Asian country.
In several countries, there are lists of names that cannot be given to children. In Denmark, for example, it is illegal to name your child Monkey or Anus, while in France, Nutella, Strawberry, or Mini Cooper.
In 1979, Sweden became the first country in the world to ban physical punishment of children. Yes, this means that in this European country, even parents are prohibited from spanking their children. Since then, more than 30 other countries have enacted similar laws.
Before traveling to Iran, make sure you do not have a "devilish" hairstyle. Hair sticking out in different directions on men can be interpreted as worshiping Satan and disrespecting religion. Interestingly, there is an approved list of haircuts in the country, according to which men are not allowed to wear "tails" and "mullet" (a hairstyle where the hair is cut short on the top and sides but left long at the back). Any salon or private barber that disagrees with this decree loses its license, and the client may get into trouble.
Since July 2002, a law has been in effect in Greece prohibiting gambling in public places. Initially, it applied to all computer games, including the most ordinary "shooters" and "platformers." But the following year, the authorities realized the absurdity of the ban and softened it, though they did not completely repeal it. Thus, playing solitaire on one's own laptop somewhere in a café can lead to a fine of 10,000 euros or even imprisonment for up to a year.
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are prohibited from driving. The difficulty is that only local driver's licenses are recognized in the country, and they are only issued to men. This means that any woman driving does not have a license and is therefore breaking the law. Interestingly, women in Saudi Arabia can be pilots. The first female pilot received a flying license in this country in 2014.
In 2008, Switzerland enacted a law protecting the rights of certain species of pets, such as goldfish, guinea pigs, and parrots. According to the law of this country, such living beings without a pair are considered lonely, and keeping them in such conditions is equivalent to abuse.
In Switzerland, it is prohibited to flush the toilet after ten in the evening. The government recognized the sound of flushing the toilet as noise pollution.
Burundi. In March 2014, the country's president Pierre Nkurunziza banned jogging, stating that in this way some people camouflage their subversive activities. Many opposition members ended up in prison for group jogs.
South Africa. Last year, the South African government announced a ban on photographing and distributing images of the home of the country's president Jacob Zuma, even by respected publications. Naturally, many newspapers ignored the ban, and photographs of the house were published.
Monaco. Despite the fact that for many people in the world, the Monte Carlo casino is a symbol of Monaco, its citizens are prohibited from entering the establishment and playing there. Apparently, the ban has been in place since 1860 — the year the casino opened. At that time, Prince of Monaco Charles III decided that residents could lose all their savings there.
Meanwhile, foreigners were allowed to lose as much as they wanted, of course.