June 21, 2024 | Eul Basa

Dumb Laws That Exist Around The World


Well isn't that...interesting

There are good laws, there are bad laws, and then there are dumb laws. Many countries around the world have some rules and regulations in place that are so ridiculous, you can't help but scratch your head.

Dumblawsworld Cover

Australia

In Western Australia, it's illegal to possess 50 kilograms of potatoes in one place.

Person Holding potatoes in hands.R Khalil, Pexels

Canada

Citizens are not allowed to purchase a fifty-cent product using just pennies.

Person holding coins in hand.cottonbro studio, Pexels

Denmark

If an inmate escapes a prison alone, it's not considered a chargeable offense. Escape from prison is only a crime if two or more inmates escape together.

Rear View of a Silhouette Man in prison.Donald Tong, Pexels

France

Naming a pig Napoleon is against the law. Some say this is just a myth...but what fun would that be?

Photograph of Domestic PigEllie Burgin, Pexels

Germany

Pillow fights are banned because a pillow is considered a passive weapon that can be used to hurt someone.

Girl Doing Pillow Fight with a ManKampus Production, Pexels

Greece

Wearing high heels at archaeological sites is illegal (and probably not a sensible choice anyway).

Woman in Pink Dress in Alley in TownPitt Rom, Pexels

India

Flying a kite without a permit is against the law.

Silhouette of a Person Flying a KiteAqib Shahid, Pexels

Italy

Smiling is mandatory at all times, except when attending funerals or visiting hospitals.

Woman visiting famous di Trevi fountain in Rome.RossHelen, Shutterstock

Japan

Individuals aged 45 to 74 must undergo annual waistline measurements.

A Person Measuring Her Waist With a Tape MeasureMikhail Nilov, Pexels

Malaysia

There are 22 different types of words, ranging from animals to cars, which are not legally allowed to name your child.

Shocked mother and son.Gustavo Fring, Pexels

Mexico

When riding a bike, it's illegal to not have both of your feet on the pedals.

Photo of Woman Riding BicycleAndrea Piacquadio, Pexels

Netherlands

You are not allowed to pee in a canal in Amsterdam unless you are expecting a baby.

Crowded Streets and Boats on the Canal in Amsterdam, NetherlandsAyşenur Şahin, Pexels

Norway

 It's illegal to spook a reindeer intentionally.

Man vs Reindeerbengtham, Flickr

Russia

Driving a car that is dirty is against the law.

Vintage Black Volga GAZ-24 Car Parked on a City Street - RussiaVitali Adutskevich, Pexels

South Korea 

Traffic police officers are required to report themselves if they commit a traffic violation.

Police Handling Traffic In Kaesongyeowatzup, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Spain

Building sandcastles in spain is not allowed.

Person Standing Near Sand CastleGerardo Ramones, Pexels

Sweden 

It's illegal to repaint your house without a government permit.

Person painting a wall.Ksenia Chernaya, Pexels

Switzerland

Flushing a toilet in an apartment after 10 p.m. is against the law.

Hand Flushing ToiletMiriam Alonso, Pexels

Thailand

You can get fined for stepping on money.

Money under your feet.Show_low, Shutterstock

England

It is illegal to handle a salmon suspiciously.

Photo Of Person Slicing Sashimicottonbro studio, Pexels

United States

In Florida, unmarried women are prohibited from parachuting on Sundays.

People Standing with Parachute on HillMiguel Arcanjo Saddi, Pexels

Argentina

Feather beds are illegal in Buenos Aires.

Photo of sweet charming young woman nightwear lying duvet sleeping feather flying isolated pastel pink color backgroundRoman Samborskyi, Shutterstock

Austria

It's illegal to publically burp or sneeze.

A young woman outside is sneezing into the elbowMilanMarkovic78, Shutterstock

Belgium

Washing your car on the street is against the law.

Male driver washing car with power washerErik Mclean, Pexels

Brazil

It's illegal to sell Kinder Eggs.

Kinder Surprise eggs in store.Kim Love, Flickr

China

You must visit your elderly parents often or face legal consequences.

Man and Woman Walking on the StreetKEON VINES, Pexels

Israel

Picking your nose on a Saturday is forbidden.

Man in Blue Top Picking NoseKetut Subiyanto, Pexels

Maldives

 It's illegal to bring idols of worship into the country.

Prayer beads on table with Buddhist templePam Williams, Pexels

Mongolia

Drinking on the first day of the month is against the law.

An old man drinks fermented milk in Mongolia.World Bank Photo Collection, Flickr

Nigeria

The export donkeys is prohibited.

Boy Leaning on a DonkeyRowlandzy, Pexels

Peru

It's illegal to get freaky with a llama or alpaca.

Man with an AlpacaDiogo Brandao, Pexels

Poland

Some public establishments are prohibited from serving ketchup to customers unless specifically requested.

Single served bottle of ketchup on the table.Olivia's pics, Flickr

Romania

It's illegal to urinate in a body of water that someone may be bathing in.

When The Class Clown Goes Too Farwayhomestudio, Freepik

Singapore

Selling chewing gum is against the law.

Airwaves gum in store.Jon Rawlinson, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Slovakia

Stealing only one apple from a farm is a crime.

Girl sitting on tree and collecting apple.Zen Chung, Pexels

South Africa

It's illegal to play the national anthem in the manner of a jive or jazz and rock arrangement.

Girl in Black and White Crew Neck T-shirt Playing Saxophonecottonbro studio, Pexels

Sri Lanka

It's possible for tourists to be denied entry or face legal consequences for displaying tattoos of Buddha.

Buddha tattoo on arm.art dejavu, Flickr

Egypt

Men are strictly prohibited from belly dancing.

Woman Doing a Belly DanceVika Glitter, Pexels

Scotland

It's illegal to ride a cow while intoxicated.

Person Standing on Hill next to a cow.Tom Verdoot, Pexels

Philippines

Widows can only remarry within 301 days from the date of her husband's death.

Portrait of a Young WidowMustafa Akkoyun, Pexels


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