The legislation of each country is formed on the basis of its cultural and historical heritage. However, funny precedents and situations often arise, the settlement of which by legal acts looks ridiculous. Such laws look funny, often strange or stupid. But ignorance of them does not exempt you from responsibility, and it is determined not only by fines. And if you are planning a trip to another country, it is better to familiarize yourself with all possible nuances, even if they seem funny.
For clarity, the funniest laws in the world will be considered by country.
Great Britain.
Sweet pies are banned. A law restricting their use at Christmas was introduced in 1644 by Oliver Cromwell. The purpose of this act is to combat gluttony as one of the biblical sins. Despite its archaic nature, the law officially continues to apply.
Another ban, like in France, limits kissing at train stations. The regulation was introduced in 1910 because train schedules were disrupted by passengers taking too long to leave.
One of the archaic ordinances is in effect in York County. The law officially allows for the killing of a Scot if he is carrying a bow and arrow.
The ridiculous ban also applies to the country's legislature. Dying is prohibited in the UK Parliament. The law was introduced because Westminster has the status of a palace. Accordingly, all those who died in it should be buried with state honors.
It is also prohibited to appear in parliament wearing armor. And even more so, it is forbidden by law to appear in armor and die.
There is a funny restriction on the consumption of coffee or tea. It concerns healthcare workers at three Leicester hospitals. Legislators decided that staff drinking gave the impression of irresponsibility at work.
Legal acts also apply to suicide. This act is treated as a serious crime.
In Scotland, the law requires you to let someone into your home who asks to go to the toilet.
In London there is a funny restriction according to which it is not allowed to beat your wife after nine in the evening. The order is aimed at protecting the peace of neighbors who may be disturbed by the screams of the beaten woman.
France.
Like the UK, France has a ban on station kissing. For these purposes, the law provides for special zones.
An important legal act for all pig owners is the decree according to which it is not allowed to give a pig the name “Napoleon”.
Legislation limits the consumption of ketchup during lunch. The ban applies to schools and colleges. The purpose of this resolution is to reduce sugar consumption by students and maintain national cuisine.
Italy.
In much of Europe, female nudity is, if not illegal, then unacceptable. The wording of some laws is interesting - in the Italian city of Tropea, women are prohibited from appearing naked on the beach if they are overweight, middle-aged and ugly.
Venice has an interesting law that prohibits feeding pigeons. The order is aimed at preserving the historical appearance of the city and keeping the streets free of bird droppings.
On about. Capri law prohibits the wearing of noisy shoes. Tourists can be fined for loud spanking, which is a violation of public order and safety.
In Eboli, kissing while driving is prohibited. The fine is more than 500 euros.
Throughout Italy there is an interesting law that prohibits women with the name Maria from engaging in prostitution. Violation of the order is interpreted as an insult to believers.
Germany.
A fine for running out of gas on the autobahn can be considered a ridiculous law. A driver stopped on the highway poses a threat to traffic, and therefore you should carefully monitor the fuel tank indicator when entering the highway.
Israel.
The ban on picking your nose on Saturday will seem like a funny law. Believing Israelis believe that in this process a hair can be pulled out, causing blood to flow. And bleeding is a desecration of the sanctity of the Sabbath.
Saudi Arabia.
The law prohibits listening to music in public places. The fine is up to $150. Due to restrictions, music is not taught in schools and higher education institutions. You can't listen to it in music stores either.
The following restrictions of the law are an absurd contradiction:
- male doctors are not allowed to examine women;
- Women are not allowed to become doctors.
China.
A number of funny and interesting laws in force can be found in the Celestial Empire:
- the rule “saving a drowning person is the work of the drowning person himself” is in full effect in China; it is believed that saving a drowning person means interfering with his fate;
- in Hong Kong, a woman has the right to kill her unfaithful husband, provided that she does it with her bare hands, without resorting to outside help or using objects;
- the same regulations allow a woman to kill her husband’s mistress, who threatens to ruin the family, while the law does not limit the methods of retaliation;
- the Chinese government has limited the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhists; this is possible only with official permission;
- Looking at naked women in China is not considered a crime, but looking at the legs of a clothed woman is a serious offense, entailing several days in prison.
India.
In India, a cow is a sacred animal that cannot even be driven away. In Bihar, anyone who kills a cow is executed by hanging. And whoever decides to remove the manure after her has his hands cut off.
It is not permitted by law to leave more than 5 rat hairs or pieces of droppings per kilogram of rice, corn or wheat.
Singapore.
One of the most densely populated cities in the world has strict legislative requirements for cleanliness. If a person throws garbage on the streets of the city three times, then every Sunday for a month he washes the sidewalks with a sign on his neck “I littered.”
Fines for violating cleanliness also apply to everyday things. The law prohibits blowing your nose or spitting in the street. Penalties will also follow if a person does not flush the toilet after himself.
Some restrictions apply to chewing gum. You can only buy this at a pharmacy with a doctor's prescription. Carrying it in luggage for personal use is permitted, within reasonable limits. It should be remembered that throwing chewing gum into the street entails a large fine.
Thailand.
Throwing chewing gum on the street can also result in a fine or imprisonment in Thailand. The recovery amount is approximately $600.
A law in Thailand that seems ridiculous at first glance is the ban on trampling money. It applies to the national currency. The order was adopted taking into account the fact that the current ruler of the country is depicted on the banknotes. Trampling on such an image is regarded as disrespect for the head of state.
Swaziland.
In this African state, women are legally recognized as a less significant part of society. She is not allowed to wear clothing that in any way resembles that of a man.
In order to respect the ancient traditions of the state, restrictions also apply to underwear - wearing it by women is strictly prohibited. If one is discovered, law enforcement officers have the right to disrupt it.
Australia.
There is a ridiculous law in Melbourne that prohibits a man from wearing a strapless dress. Restrictions do not apply to any other women's items.
Canada.
The law prohibits the use of walkers for children. It is believed that they interfere with the normal development of the child and create an improper load on the joints, bones and muscles. The order entails a large fine or imprisonment for up to six months.
Signs are designed in French. There is a law requiring that if there is an English design, it must be half the size of the mandatory French one.
In Taber, Alberta, people are fined for shouting and swearing in public. Even if the screamer is trying to attract the attention of a friend. There are other funny laws in the same province:
- According to an outdated but still valid law, a criminal released from prison is entitled to a loaded pistol and a horse so that he can leave the city in a short time;
- in Itobikok, the water level in the bathtub cannot exceed 10 cm.
Ridiculous laws in the USA
The US legal system is structured in such a way that any court order becomes an official legal act. Therefore, there are more funny and ridiculous laws in this country. For convenience, their consideration is distributed by state.
IN Idaho The law prohibits fishing from a camel.
IN Iowa:
- in the city of Ottumwa, it is not allowed to wink at strangers - such actions are interpreted as sexual harassment;
- in Fort Madison in the same state, firefighters are required by law to undergo 15 minutes of training before going to a fire;
- a kiss, by law, should not last more than five minutes - apparently there were complaints about lack of air;
- One-armed pianists are required to play for free.
Funny laws in Alabama:
- It is forbidden to blow your nose in the wind, the order also applies to picking your nose;
- It is forbidden to drive a car blindfolded;
- a man must not beat his wife with a stick if its diameter is thicker than his thumb;
- in the city of Montgomery, the law does not allow pedestrians to open umbrellas on the street so that they do not frighten horses;
- in Mobile, women are not allowed to wear high-heeled shoes, and drivers are not allowed to honk at passing women;
- under penalty of death, it is forbidden by law to sprinkle the rails with salt;
- It is a crime to carry ice cream in your pocket, spit in the presence of women, wear a mask on the street and wear a glued-on mustache to church.
IN Alaska It is not allowed to wake up bears to take photos with them. The possibility of throwing live moose out of an airplane is prohibited. The latter should also not be drunk with alcohol. Especially in order to later be thrown out of the plane.
Interesting laws in Arizona:
- a fine is imposed on those who put a donkey to sleep in the bathtub;
- Cutting down a cactus is considered a serious crime - the offender faces a prison sentence of up to 25 years;
- It is not allowed to hunt camels;
- A thief who is caught stealing soap is washed with it until it runs out.
IN Arkansas The law prohibits the Arkansas River from rising above the bridge in Little Rock.
Funny laws in Washington:
- It is not allowed to ride scary horses in public places;
- you are not allowed to create the impression that you have rich parents;
- Visitors with the intention of committing a crime must first call the police and describe it in detail.
IN Vermont A woman must obtain written permission from her husband to wear dentures.
IN West Virginia animals hit by a car are allowed to be taken home and cooked for dinner. Students are also prohibited from entering school if they smell of onions.
IN Wisconsin, in Sainte-Croix, the law prohibits women from wearing red clothing in public.
In Honolulu on Hawaii It is an offense to attempt to molest birds in city parks. Also on the islands, billboards and posters on roads and in public places are prohibited. Restrictions have been introduced so that advertising does not interfere with tourists admiring the local landscapes.
IN Delaware The law does not allow a woman to propose marriage to a man.
Interesting laws in Illinois:
- in Eureka, men with mustaches are prohibited from kissing women;
- in Haisleburg, a person who beats rats with a baseball bat is fined one thousand dollars;
- in Zion, animals are prohibited from being given lighted cigars;
- in Joliet, a woman will be arrested if she tries on more than six dresses in a store.
Funny regulations in Indiana:
- It is not permitted by law to take baths between October and March;
- legislation officially dictates that pi is four, not 3.1415;
- citizens do not have the right to visit the theater or cinema, or ride a tram, for four hours after eating garlic;
- The law does not allow opening canned food with a firearm.
Funny laws in California:
- animals are officially prohibited by law from intercourse within 500 meters of public establishments;
- It is not allowed to hunt whales from a car;
- in Carmel you cannot eat ice cream while standing on the sidewalk;
- in the city of Chico it is not allowed to detonate nuclear devices within the city, the fine is $500;
- in Waldwin Park it is not allowed to enter the pool on a bicycle;
- Baths are prohibited by law.
Funny regulations in Kentucky:
- the law obliges citizens to take a shower at least once a year;
- it is not allowed to marry his wife’s grandmother - it is difficult to say from which side for the appropriate court decision complaints could be filed;
- a drunk person is considered sober as long as he is able to stand on his own;
- Women are not allowed to walk on the highway in a swimsuit, but if she is accompanied by two police officers or armed with a stick, the ban is lifted.
IN Colorado, in Logan County, it is a crime by law to kiss a woman while she is sleeping. It is also prohibited to let your neighbors use your vacuum cleaner. In Stirling, cats are allowed to run free as long as they have tail lights.
IN Connecticut:
- in Hartford, it is forbidden to cross the road on your hands, and here spouses are not allowed to kiss on Sundays;
- cyclists are prohibited from traveling at speeds exceeding one hundred kilometers per hour;
- Walking backwards after sunset is prohibited in Devon.
IN Massachusetts Snoring is illegal. To legitimize it, you should completely close all the windows in the bedroom.
IN Minnesota Those who choose to sleep naked face jail time. It is also prohibited to hang men's and women's underwear on the same line.
IN Michigan In order to cut her hair, a woman must obtain the consent of her husband
IN Montana:
- It is not allowed to have sex in a position other than “missionary”;
- Sheep are not allowed to be transported in the truck cab without a shepherd present.
IN Maine A fine awaits homeowners who do not remove their Christmas decorations by January 14th. In Portland, the law insists that anyone walking down the street must have their shoelaces tied.
In Lehigh State Nebraska The law prohibits the sale of donut holes. In this state, equidistant from any sea or ocean, whale hunting is prohibited. A citizen will also be arrested if his child begins to hiccup during a church service.
IN Nevada, in Elko, it is only allowed to wear a mask.
IN New Jersey It is not allowed to loudly sip soup in a restaurant. In this state, the driver does not have the right to fill his own tank with gasoline. Drivers should also be careful - it is not allowed to park boats on the lawns.
State legislation may also seem funny NY:
- It is prohibited to sell ice cream after six in the evening, with the exception of the buyer having a doctor’s certificate;
- It is prohibited to hunt rabbits from the tram;
- the death penalty is imposed on those who jump from the roofs of skyscrapers;
- there is a fine for talking in the elevator, even with people you know;
- the law does not allow the presence of undressed mannequins in store windows;
- the official ban applies to the arrest of a corpse for debt;
- in Carmel, a man will be fined if he goes out wearing pants that do not match his jacket.
IN New Mexico, in the city of Carrizoz, women are prohibited from appearing in public places unshaven.
IN Ohio:
- It is prohibited to throw reptiles;
- in Oxford, women are not allowed to undress in front of portraits of men;
- the situation when the car runs out of gas is interpreted by law as illegal;
- It is prohibited to offer alcoholic beverages to fish;
- Bexley does not allow slot machines in toilets;
- In Clinton County, anyone who leans against a public building will face a fine.
IN Oklahoma The law does not allow dogs to make faces. No matter how funny they are. Dogs are prohibited from gathering in groups of three or more. However, if they, the dogs, have a special permit from the mayor of the city, then they can. You can't tease dogs either.
In Oklahoma City, it is illegal to walk backwards while eating a hamburger. Taking bites from someone else's hamburger is prohibited.
IN Oregon the law prescribes a ban on obscene language during sex with your spouse. As in New Jersey, drivers are not allowed to fill their own gas tank.
IN Pennsylvania The law prohibits cohabitation of more than 16 women. The seventeenth, according to legislators, makes such a concentration of a female group a brothel. However, the law allows up to 120 men to live together.
Restrictions are also introduced on the following aspects:
- a separate law on cleanliness prohibits housewives from hiding dust and dirt under the carpet;
- It is not allowed to fish by any part of the body other than the mouth;
- Drivers at night in rural areas are instructed to stop every mile they travel, fire a flare, wait 10 minutes for potential livestock to move out of the way, and then continue driving.
IN North Carolina public organizations are prohibited from meeting if their members are dressed alike.
IN Tennessee It is prohibited to share your own password for entertainment services.
IN Texas It is prohibited to shoot at bison from the second floor of the hotel. The Encyclopedia Britannica is also prohibited because it contains a recipe for making beer at home. Men are prohibited by law from carrying wire cutters.
In Florida Unmarried women are not allowed to skydive on Sundays. It is also not allowed to break more than three plates a day, even for married people. The law does not allow you to shower naked.
IN South Dakota If more than five Indians are on a citizen's property, he has the right to shoot at them.
Of course, it is impossible to do without laws entirely. And yet, some of them are, to put it mildly, puzzling. Strange, absurd and ridiculous pieces of legislation exist in many countries around the world. Although, probably, each of them has some basis.
Great Britain
Until recently, it was forbidden here... to die in parliament. The fact is that the parliament building has the status of a royal palace, and if someone died within its walls, then he was supposed to be buried at public expense. True, the law has now been abolished.
Germany
If you're driving on the Autobahn in Germany, you have a responsibility to make sure you don't run out of gas. When setting off, you should make sure your tank is full or you have spare canisters. If you run out of gas on the road, you need to pull over to the side of the road and honk your horn, trying to attract the attention of passing drivers. You have no right to get out of your car and walk along the highway. All this is done for safety reasons. Violation of the law is subject to a large fine.
Vatican and Philippines
You cannot get a divorce in these two states. In the Vatican, divorce is generally prohibited, and in the Philippines, a non-Muslim cannot divorce a Muslim, since for adherents of Islam, divorce can only occur according to Muslim canons.
Japan
The body weight of Japanese people is regulated by law. According to it, after 40 years, the waist diameter of men should not exceed 90 centimeters, and for women - 82. After all, normal weight is the key to a healthy lifestyle. This may be why most people in Japan have a thin build.
However, if you exceed the specified dimensions, no one will personally fine you. The fine threatens local authorities and companies where fat men and women work.
China
Reincarnation, that is, the transmigration of souls, is prohibited here. Or rather, in order to implement it, it is necessary to obtain official government permission. The fact is that, according to tradition, the Tibetan Dalai Lama is elected to the one who has been possessed by the soul of the previous Dalai Lama. Such a child is “identified” even in childhood based on certain characteristics. However, the current Dalai Lama has stated that he will not be reborn as long as Tibet is controlled by China. To limit the influence of Lamaism, this ban was introduced.
Time travel is also prohibited in China. True, this only applies to the depiction of chronotravel in films and television shows. Several years ago, the Radio Film and Television Authority concluded that such stories "promote feudalism, superstition, fatalism and reincarnation." As a result, they were banned.
Hong Kong
In this country, wives have the right to kill their husbands for cheating! A small nuance: the murder must be committed only with bare hands. But the law allows you to kill your husband’s mistress in any way you like, even with a knife... Apparently, it is believed that this helps strengthen moral principles.
Singapore
In this country there is a ban on... chewing gum! Only nicotine chewing gum is allowed to be sold here, and it is sold only with a doctor's prescription. If you are caught with gum in your mouth, you could face a fine of more than $500 or jail time.
Bahrain
Here, male gynecologists, when examining female patients, must look at their genitals only through a mirror. Otherwise it is considered obscene and illegal. In Muslim countries it is not allowed to look at the genitals of the dead. In morgues and funeral homes, it is customary to cover them with a piece of wood or brick.
USA
There are many laws regulating sexual life here. For example, in the state of Utah, women cannot have sex with men if they are with them in... an ambulance! In Wyoming you can't make love in the refrigerator. In Virginia, sexual intercourse should not take place in the light. In Nevada, you can only have sex with condoms. In the same state, officials do not have the right... to wear costumes depicting a penis while on duty!
And in the state of Oklahoma, after seven o'clock in the evening, a donkey has no right to sleep in your bathroom! Agree, it’s strange to imagine the very situation when a donkey climbs into a human bathtub to sleep... And if he is awake, then it turns out that the law has not been broken?
All the laws given here - funny, cruel, and downright stupid - continue to apply, and each of them can be brought to light. There are also really stupid ones, which testify to the level of the legislator or the population who achieved the adoption of these laws.
Some of these laws are funny because a lot of time has passed since they were adopted and life has become completely different. Indeed, it is now difficult to imagine a husband who, by law, must walk or run with a red flag in front of his wife’s car, warning everyone about the danger posed by a woman driving, or a mandatory requirement for a hotel to feed a guest’s horse for free.
Others are not funny at all, but rather even terrible in their cruelty - what is the right to kill enemies consecrated by law (Welsh or Scots in good old England or Indians in the USA) worth. There are, of course, really stupid ones, indicating either the stupidity of the legislator (or the court), or the stupidity of the population who achieved the adoption of such laws. Imagine, for example, a law regulating the croaking of frogs.
The important thing is that all the laws given here - funny, cruel, and frankly stupid - continue to apply, and each of them, if there is a need for it, can be brought to light.
In addition, some of the above “stupid” laws would be nice to use in our practice - for example, bans on littering on the streets under the threat of a large fine or imprisonment turned the capitals of Singapore and Thailand into some of the cleanest cities in the world, and the ban on enforcing a nuclear explosive device owned by a private individual, under threat of a monetary fine, proves its effectiveness, since such facts have not yet been noted.
Stupid laws of European countries
Denmark- Before starting the car, the driver must check the headlights, brakes, steering and horn. In addition, it is necessary to carry out an external inspection to make sure that children are not hiding under the car.
- If a horse becomes spooked when a car passes a horse-drawn carriage, the law requires the driver to pull over to the side of the road and stop. If the horse becomes very nervous and needs to be calmed down, the driver is required by law to cover the car with something.
- Attempting to escape from prison is not considered a crime, but if the fugitive is caught, he will have to serve out his sentence in prison.
- You can't start a car if there's someone underneath it.
- When driving, the vehicle's headlights must always be on so that it can be distinguished from stationary vehicles.
- When driving, a person must walk in front of the car waving a flag to warn horse-drawn carriages that the car is approaching.
- Members of Parliament are prohibited from entering the House of Commons wearing armor.
- All English people over the age of 14 are required to practice archery for 2 hours a week under the guidance of a local priest.
- A man is allowed to urinate in a public place as long as it is near the rear wheel of his car and his right hand is on the car.
- It is permitted to shoot Welshmen with arrows within the city walls after midnight.
- It is permitted to shoot Welsh people with arrows on cathedral grounds on Sundays during the day.
- London hackney coaches (taxis) are required by law to carry a bale of hay or a sack of oats.
- When meeting a Scot on any day of the week except Sunday, you are allowed to shoot him with a bow
- If a Scot farts on Sunday, you can shoot him with a bow and arrow
- It is prohibited to plant or park flying saucers in vineyards throughout France.
- It is illegal for pig owners to call their pig "Napoleon".
China
- It is illegal to save a drowning person because it is interfering with his fate.
- In order for a student to be allowed to attend college, he must be smart.
India
- It is illegal to leave more than 5 rat hairs or pieces of droppings per kilogram of rice, wheat, corn or cereal.
Israel
Arad- It is an offense to own a mobile castration clinic as it relates to retail trade.
- On weekends, it is prohibited to turn on bright lights and talk loudly.
South Korea
- Traffic police officers are required to report any bribes they receive from drivers.
Thailand
- You will have to pay a fine of $600 if you are caught throwing chewing gum on the sidewalk. If you don't have the money to pay the fine, you may be sent to prison.
- It is an offense to step on any coins or national currency notes.
Canada
- Every fifth song played on Canadian radio must be sung by a Canadian citizen, which is why songs by Celine Dion and Bryan Adams can be heard very often on the airwaves.
- It is illegal to pay for an item that costs 50 cents using only penny (1 cent) coins.
It is prohibited to launch rockets into an area not intended for this purpose. Violators of this law may be subject to a fine of $75.
Alberta
- Firms are required by law to have railings for tying up horses.
- After being released from prison, according to the law, the former prisoner is required to provide a loaded pistol and a horse so that he can leave the city.
- All signs must be written in French. If the owner of a company wants to place a sign in English, then the letters of the English inscription should be half the size of the letters of the French inscription. There are no laws regulating the use of inscriptions in other languages.
- Outside the premises, all signs must be made only in French.
- Calgary
It is illegal to light fireworks or have snowball fights without permission from the city council.Edmonton
- All cyclists must indicate this with their hand before making a turn. They must keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times.
Beaconsfield
- It is an offense to use more than two colors when painting a house.
Stupid US laws
City lawsGazebo
- According to the city council's decree, "dogs should not be in public places without an owner on a leash."
- According to city regulations, a person must own at least two cows before being allowed to wear cowboy boots.
- Detonating a nuclear device within city limits can result in a $500 fine.
- Horror films are only allowed to be shown on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
- According to the law, it is illegal to drive more than 200 sheep down Hollywood Boulevard at one time.
- It is prohibited to bathe two children in the same bath at the same time.
- You are not allowed to cry when testifying in court.
- Licking toads is prohibited. Toads secrete a substance that some lick to produce a narcotic effect.
- Connecticut
- The police cannot stop you for riding a bicycle over 65 miles per hour.
- A pickled cucumber must be firm to be officially recognized as such.
Delaware
- It is illegal to try to pawn your own prosthesis.
Indiana
- It is illegal to open cans with a firearm.
- Everyone knows that Pi is 3.1415, but in Indiana the value of Pi is 4.
- Citizens are prohibited from visiting the theater or cinema, or riding a tram for 4 hours after eating garlic.
Iowa
- According to the law, a kiss can last no more than 5 minutes.
- One-armed pianists are required by law to play for free.
- Homeowners could be fined if they don't take down their Christmas decorations by January 14th.
Massachusetts
- People attending the wake are allowed to eat no more than three sandwiches.
- Snoring is against the law unless all bedroom windows are closed and properly locked.
Missouri
- Any city can impose a tax on the maintenance of an orchestra if in this orchestra the mayor plays the small flute and each musician knows how to eat peas with a knife.
New Jersey
- It is illegal to “look disapprovingly” at a police officer.
- It is illegal to detain a pigeon returning home or interfere with its flight.
Oklahoma
- In Oklahoma, it is illegal to take a bite of someone else's hamburger.
- People who make faces at dogs may face fines or jail time.
- Dogs must have a permit signed by the mayor in order to congregate in groups of three or more on private property.
Pennsylvania
- A special cleanliness ordinance prohibits housewives from hiding dirt and dust under the carpet in their home.
- It is against the law for more than 16 women to live in one house at the same time, as this suggests the existence of a brothel. However, up to 120 men can live together without it being illegal
- Cars driving on state roads at night must fire a flare into the air every mile and wait 10 minutes for the road to clear.
- If a driver sees a herd of horses, he is required to pull over to the side of the road and cover the car with a blanket or cover that has been specially painted to camouflage the car.
- If a horse refuses to pass by a car on the road, the owner of the car is obliged to disassemble it and hide the parts in the bushes.
Tennessee
- Women are prohibited from driving unless there is a man walking or running in front of the car waving a red flag to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the danger.
Texas
- It is illegal to milk someone else's cow or paint on it.
- The Encyclopedia Britannica is banned because it contains a recipe for making beer at home.
Washington
- The law, designed to reduce the number of crimes, states: “Any driver who has criminal intentions is obliged to stop when entering the city and report them by telephone to the chief of police.”
- It is illegal to put polka dots on the US flag.
- It's illegal to pretend your parents are rich.
- Waterbury (Connecticut)
- Cosmetologists are prohibited from muttering, humming or whistling when working with a client.
Sterling (Colorado)
- Cats are only allowed to run freely if they have tail lights.
Lewis (Delaware)
- Entering into a disputed marriage is a legal basis for the dissolution of such a marriage.
Chicago (Illinois)
- Animals may also be imprisoned. The monkey spent five days in jail for shoplifting.
Joliet (Illinois)
- A woman can be arrested for trying on more than six dresses at a time in a store.
Kenilworth (Illinois)
- Roosters about to crow should move 300 feet away from residential buildings, and hens should move 200 feet away from residential buildings.
Natoma (Kansas)
- It is illegal to practice knife throwing using men wearing pinstripe suits as targets.
Portland (ME)
- A person walking down the street must have his shoelaces tied.
Rumford (ME)
- Residents are prohibited from biting homeowners.
Minneapolis (Minnesota)
- A person guilty of double parking should be shackled and kept on bread and water.
Cleveland (Ohio)
- The law prohibits catching mice without a hunting license.
- Women are prohibited from wearing patent leather shoes, as men may see their underwear reflected in them.
Clinton County (Ohio)
- A person leaning against a public building may be subject to a fine.
Oxford (Ohio)
- It is illegal for a woman to remove her clothes in front of a man's portrait.
Paulding (Ohio)
- A police officer has the right to bite a dog to silence it.
Klamath Falls (Oregon)
- It is prohibited to whistle underwater.
- Rollerblading is prohibited in public restrooms.
Allentown (Pennsylvania)
- All fire hydrants should be checked one hour before a fire.
Richmond (Virginia)
- It is illegal to flip a coin in a restaurant to see who will pay for the coffee.
Racine (Wisconsin)
- It is prohibited to wake up sleeping firefighters.
Saint Croix (Wisconsin)
- Women are prohibited from wearing red clothing in public places.
There is a saying that says that the world is at the end of the sword. It was on the basis of this postulate that the legislation of some countries of the world was formed. The law must clearly regulate the life and activities of each member of society so that everyone can interact without violating each other’s rights. But sometimes the law is so comical or absurd that people don't follow it.
Every day, meetings and debates take place within the walls of Parliament, where deputies spend hours solving economic, political and social problems. It is quite possible that one of the deputies may get into trouble and die. But it’s not legal within the walls of Parliament. The British Empire is so omnipotent that it can even regulate matters of life and death. I wonder how they will punish someone who died within the walls of Parliament?
Thailand is an exotic country popular among tourists all over the world. It has it all: rich culture, nature and history. But this paradise did not escape a number of strange laws. Everything connected with the king of Thailand, who has ruled for many decades, is considered sacred, even banknotes with his image. Therefore, it is prohibited by law to step on an accidentally dropped bill. You should think twice about doing this, as you could end up in prison for many years.
Germany is proud of its autobahns, which have made the movement of motorists throughout the country comfortable. There are practically no speed limits on the autobahn, so compliance with the laws and mutual respect become mandatory in order to avoid accidents. If an accident occurs, the gas tank is damaged and gasoline leaks onto the asphalt, you have broken the law! It turns out that you have to carry a bag of salt with you to go out and cover the stain, but do not forget that walking on the autobahn is also prohibited by law. What should I do?
The small Asian state of South Korea is not only distinguished by high technology and proximity to its totalitarian northern neighbor, but also by strange laws. Some lawbreakers try to bribe police officers to avoid punishment. The law does not prohibit taking a bribe, but obliges the police officer to declare this fact. Thus, the police allow themselves to be arrested and sued with their own hands.
Australia is, at first glance, a free democratic state that many associate with kangaroos. There are also laws here that are far from rational. In Melbourne, Australia's second largest city, there is a law prohibiting men from wearing strapless dresses. Although Australia is a fairly hot continent, how many men wear dresses?
In fact, 70% of the planet is covered in water. Some countries live off the ocean or sea. Portugal has always been considered a maritime state; it is located in the Atlantic Ocean. The Portuguese discovered the world as they went on trips around the world. It is not surprising that the Portuguese have a reverent attitude towards water. Relieving yourself in the ocean is not only prohibited.
Everyone will agree that excess weight not only causes physical inconvenience, but can also cause many diseases. In Japan, the land of sumo, the police must monitor the diet of citizens. In 2009, a law was passed according to which, for men over 40 years of age, the waist circumference should not exceed 80 cm, and for women - 90 cm.
They say that if you eat cheese before bed, you will have nightmares. This is probably why in Italy, the country of cheese, they came up with such a law. In Ferrara, an Italian town famous for its car factories, it is illegal to sleep in dairy factories. I wonder if this applies to mice too?
In America, you can find a large number of strange laws in different states. There are 50 states in the United States, and each has at least one very unusual law. In Oklahoma, it is prohibited to make faces at dogs, that is, to modify their faces, for which you can end up in prison.
Alaska is the largest state in the United States, famous for its wild areas where no human has set foot. This is a place where wildlife literally begins in your backyard. Perhaps the law was invented for tourists. The police will be merciless to those who try to take a photo with the bear.
Thousands of miles from Alaska lies the Mormon state of Utah. Mormons have long been treated as eccentrics, especially regarding their laws. The law against carrying violins in paper bags originated in the Mormon capital, Salt Lake City, although the reason for its creation is unclear. The very idea of carrying a musical instrument not in a case, but in a bag, is blasphemous, since you can damage its body and strings.
There is another strange law in the UK. You can get into trouble if you handle salmon in a strange way. Poaching of salmon is prohibited, and suspicious handling of salmon is also prohibited. It remains to clarify what is suspicious. Perhaps decorating clothes with salmon? Or cooking salmon with cream cheese?
Since the UK is located on the outskirts of Europe, due to the harsh living conditions on the island, strange laws have also affected the food sector. Residents of the country love potatoes very much. The love affair dates back to when it was first brought to Europe from America (during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, when it was consumed raw). Why import potatoes into the country if they can be grown here, legislators thought. Thus, a law was introduced prohibiting the import of imported potatoes into England and Wales from Poland. I wonder how Polish potatoes are different from any other?
Laws are created to protect citizens from lawlessness, but some laws are surprising in their illogicality and strangeness. In Chicago, Illinois, it is illegal to eat in a food service establishment where there is a fire.
When the time for taking an exam approaches, a person begins to get nervous, loses confidence in his knowledge and begins to want to play it safe and write cheat sheets. From time immemorial, people have cheated in exams and even received high marks. Cheating in Europe is perceived as an offense that ends in a negative assessment. In Bangladesh, a test taker over 15 years old who is caught cheating faces jail time.
There is nothing more pleasant than family happiness. But, unfortunately, happiness does not last long, and the marriage begins to experience a period of misunderstanding and disagreement. You won't envy your husbands in Hong Kong. If a wife catches her husband in a lie, she has the right to kill him. But there is one exception - a woman can kill her husband only with her bare hands. She will have to try hard to accomplish her plans.
Milan is a cosmopolitan city, the center of European culture and fashion. It would seem that in such a city all people should be happy. In addition, Italy is a sunny state, which also speaks in favor of positive thinking. In Milan, a gloomy mood and a lack of a smile are prohibited by law. Violation is subject to a fine. There is an exception; the law does not apply to patients in hospitals and funeral processions.
Samoa is a small island state, a real paradise on Earth. But in this paradise there is a law that prohibits forgetting your spouse’s birthday. It's easy to imagine a husband running around the shops in a last-minute panic looking for flowers and a gift, or getting a date tattoo on his arm. A wife's anger is one thing, but punishment for breaking the law is quite another!