Every country has different laws, and some of their laws are absolutely ridiculous. I have a compilation of the 32 most bizarre laws around the world you may not believe exist. So keep these in mind when travelling, so you don’t wind up behind bars.
1. Illegal Chewing Gum
In Singapore,it is illegal to chew gum. After vandals used chewing gum to mess with the Mass Rapid Transit system, the Housing and Development Board spent $150,000 a year to clean gum litter. Therefore, Singapore banned all gum since 1992. Anyone importing, selling or making gum in Singapore can get fined and/or jail time. So next time you’re there, leave your gum at home.
2. Feeding Pigeons
It is illegal to feed pigeons in Venice. With thousands of pigeons descending upon Saint Mark’s Square in Venice, lured by the tourists readily handing out food in exchange for Instagram-worthy photos, Venice has officially made it illegal to feed the pigeons since 2008. It is said the cleanup from the birds cost each citizen €275 per year. So if you’re caught feeding the pigeons, you could face fines of up to €700.
3. Winnie The Pooh
Wearing a Winne The Pooh T-shirt or a backpack in Poland is illegal because the cartoon does not wear any pants. Poland issued a ban on Winnie the Pooh around playgrounds and schools since it seemed a little indecent.
4. Selfies With Buddha
In Sri Lanka, it is illegal to take a selfie with the statue of Buddha. This is because when you take a selfie with Buddha, you are turning your back on him. This sign of disrespect is punishable by imprisonment in Sri Lanka. It is also considered disrespectful to point your finger at Buddha.
5. Wearing Masks
In Denmark it is illegal to wear masks in public. Not only masks, they want to stop anyone from covering their faces in any way in public. This includes masks, helmets, scarves, hats, fake beards and even burkas. The controversial ban went into effect in August 2018. Officials claim the ban helps to properly identify people during crowded events, should anything negative happen and someone need to be identified.
6. Kite Flying
It is illegal to fly a kite in Victoria, Australia. It is illegal to fly a kite in a public space if it bothers another person. In fact, you cannot even play a game in a public place if it annoys someone else.
7. Swearing in U.A.E
In the Muslim UAE, swearing could get you fined, jailed or deported. Under Article 373 of the UAE Penal Code, “swearing disgraces the honour or the modesty of a person.” This doesn’t just apply to inappropriate words aloud. It includes indecent physical gestures and extends to your text messages and social media, as well. Not even indecent emojis are allowed. So if you have a potty mouth, be sure it’s in check before you visit.
8. Pre-Purchased Burial Spot
You cannot die without a pre-purchased burial plot in part of France. In the town of Sarpourenx, you cannot die within the city limits unless you already have your burial plot purchased in the local cemetery.
9. Reincarnation Without Permission
It’s illegal to reincarnate without permission in China. Tibetan Buddist monks are not allowed to reincarnate after they die unless they have been granted permission from the government.
10. Sandcastles In Spain
It’s illegal to build sand castles in Spain. Spain despises your attempt at making sand castles so much you could be fined if caught building one in Spain. The fines vary depending on the location.
11. Married Women Wine
Married women can only have one glass of wine in Bolivia. If you’re a single woman in Bolivia, drink up! But if you are married, it’s just one glass of wine for you. This sexist law is due to the belief that alcohol may make a woman more immoral. A husband could actually divorce her if she is drinking in public.
12. Objecting A Wedding
It is illegal to disrupt a wedding in Australia. Even if the preacher asks if anyone has any objection to the wedding, if you are in South Australia, keep it to yourself. If not, you could be fined up to $10,000 and even spend up to two years in jail if you interrupt a wedding.
13. Climbing Trees
Climbing trees in Toronto is illegal. Think you can just climb a tree in Canada? Expect to pay a hefty fine if you get caught doing so anywhere in the province of Ontario. This also goes for Ottawa, Toronto and even in the middle of the forest, unless you have a permit.
14. Providing For The Elderly
You have to provide for your elderly in China. The Protection of the Rights and Interests of Elderly People (over the age of 60) includes a number of requirements for children when it comes to their elderly parents. You may not forsake or insult your parents, you must take care of their farm for them, and you must provide for them, among other laws. If not, parents can request alimony.
15. Chicken Crossing
It’s illegal for your chicken to cross the road in Georgia. In an effort to encourage people to keep their chickens under control, there is a statute in Quitman, Georgia, that says you can be fined if your chicken should get loose. This means it cannot cross the road to get to the other side.
16. Paying With Coins
When making a payment that is more than $10, it is illegal to pay with more than a single coin under the Currency Act in Canada.
17. Overweight
You cannot be overweight in Japan. In an effort to prevent obesity in its citizens, Japan created the Metabo Law. This requires people between the ages of 40 to 74 to have an annual waist measurement performed at the doctor. Fines will be incurred if men have waists over 33.5 inches or 35.4 inches for women.
18. Baby Names
You are not allowed to give your baby a weird name in Denmark. The country has official child naming guidelines. If you want to name your baby something other than the 7,000 approved names, you need to get approval from the government.
19. Frowning
In Milan, Italy, it is illegal for citizens to frown in public, unless they’re at a funeral or visiting someone in the hospital.
20. Canadian Music
As stipulated by the Canadian Radio and Television Commission, one in every five songs of what’s played on the radio, must be a Canadian artist. So if you’re not listening to Justin Bieber, you’re a criminal.
21. Only Compliments
In Thailand, saying negative things about the king or any member of the royal family, including deceased monarchs, is forbidden. “lèse majesté” law makes it illegal to defame, insult, or threaten the king, queen, and other royalty. Doing so can result in a prison sentence that ranges from three to 15 years, making it one of the world’s harshest laws of its kind.
22. Husband’s Permission For False Teeth
Women who want to make a bold dental move, such as getting false teeth in Vermont, must first get their husband’s written approval. If you’re single, you’re free to do whatever you want.
23. Pizza Pranks
Be careful who you send pizza to in Louisiana. Perhaps it was someone’s idea of a prank, or perhaps it was just done as a surprise, but whatever the case may be, it is illegal to send pizza to a person’s home without their knowledge. Those who engage in this forbidden behavior face a $500 fine.
24. Flushing
In Switzerland you’re not allowed to flush the toilet after 10 p.m. Because it’s considered noise pollution.
25. Forgetting Your Wife’s Birthday
Forgetting your wife’s birthday is a crime in Samoa. So just remember the date and for bonus points, get her a gift too.
26. Wearing Heels
If you are visiting Greece, you may want to leave your heels behind. Wearing heels in ancient Greek sites is banned. It’s to protect the artifacts from wear and tear.
27. Two Children Or Pay
Kerala (an Indian state) has enforced a law to control the population growth. A two-child policy which grants couples the freedom to have a third child but with a fine of INR 10,000.
28. Steeping On Currency
If you see a penny on the ground in Thailand, don’t step on it, pick it up if you want but never step on the penny. Stepping on a currency besides rude is considered impolite. Thailand is ruled by a king, and most of their currency has their king’s face on the money, which means if you’re stepping on the penny it’s the same as disrespecting their king, so never step on any paper money or penny in Thailand.
29. Sleeping Donkey’s
It is against the law to have a sleeping donkey in your bathtub after 7 pm. In Arizona, this law was brought into effect due to a public menace case in 1924. A merchant used to allow his donkey to sleep in a bathtub. The town was flooded when a local dam broke and the donkey was washed a mile down the valley. The donkey survived, but locals spent a lot of time and manpower to save the animal. This law was passed shortly after.
30. Walking Your Dog
It is against the law not to walk your dog at least three times a day in Turin, Italy. Dog owners will be fined up to 500 euros if they don’t walk their pets at least three times a day, under a new law from the city’s council.
31. Passing Wind
In Florida, it is illegal to pass wind in a public place after 6pm on Thursdays.
32. Animal Mating
In California, animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship.
Wrapping Up
So here they are, some of the most weird laws in the world. No matter how odd they sound, they have a part to play in their countries. It is what makes the regions stand out. It might just make you feel great about belonging to one of these countries or grateful for not being in one. Yes, the world is weird.
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