December 18, 2023 | Carl Wyndham

Weird Laws Around The World


Laws are in place to make sure society continues to run smoothly. Sometimes though, laws can get a bit out of hand, weird even.

Here are 42 crazy laws from around the world.


1. How Many?

In Victoria, Australia, only a qualified electrician is allowed to change a light bulb. It’s unlawful to change it yourself unless you are a qualified electrician.

laws

2. Smile

In Milan, Italy, by law everyone must smile at all times, except during funerals or visiting a hospital. If you don’t, you have to pay a fine. Man in shirt is holding a wine glass and smiling at party.Kampus Production, Pexels

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3. Party Poohper

Winnie the Pooh is banned from playgrounds in Tuszyn, in Poland because local authorities say Winnie is inappropriate for little children because Pooh is half undressed. The story checks out.

 

Strangest Coincidences FactsFlickr

4. Like Pigs

In Coulaines, France, spitting was banned in 2009 to stop the spreading of swine flu. It must have worked, as we’re no longer hearing about swine flu. Thanks, France!

 

Weird Laws FactsWikipedia

5. No Second Chances

In 2007, the Chinese government passed an absurd law, which stated that it’s unlawful for the Tibetan monks to reincarnate without the government’s permission. Who did they expect to enforce this?

Weird Laws FactsPixabay

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6. Not Here

A popular law passed in England prohibits people to pass in the House of Parliament. Worst part about this law is there is no way of punishing the criminals who commit it.

Weird Laws FactsPixabay

7. Not So Crazy

Eboli is a small town in Italy, and kissing in a moving vehicle is banned here. This just makes a lot of sense and has probably saved many lives.

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

8. Sucks

In Melbourne, Australia, vacuuming your house between 10 pm and 7 am during weekdays and 10 pm and 9 am during the weekends is against the law. Who is vacuuming between those hours?

Weird Laws FactsPixabay

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9. Crossover

That’s not the only thing banned in Melbourne; it’s a place where men are banned from dressing up like a woman. Seems exclusionary and outdated, if you ask us.

Weird Laws FactsWikimedia Commons

10. Assleep

In Oklahoma, it is against the law to have a sleeping donkey in your bathtub after 7 pm. How often was this happening that it required to be made into a law?

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

11. Slob’s Law

Driving a dirty car is against the law in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk. You will have to face fines if you break this law. Safety first!

Weird Laws Facts

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12. Party Pooper

In Switzerland, flushing the toilet after 10 pm in an apartment building is unlawful. The Swiss government considers it noise pollution.

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

 

13. Dog Days

It is against the law not to walk your dog at least three times a day in Turin, Italy. Turin must be heaven for dogs.

Crazy Girlfriend Stories FactsShutterstock

14. Alien

Visitors of North Korea are not allowed to use North Korean currency and they are not allowed to enter into the city’s department stores.

Weird Laws FactsPexels

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15. Fitspo

In January 2008, Japan passed the “Metabo Law” to curb obesity. The law requires men and women between the ages of 45 and 74 to have their waistlines examined once a year and seek medical treatment if they’re too fat. It did not, however, make obesity a unlawful offense, as many viral articles have suggested.

Greta Garbo factsGetty Images

16. Nicky Nicky Poop Doors

In Scotland, if someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your toilet, you must let them enter. It’s best to just not answer the door in Scotland, unless you’re expecting someone.

Creepiest Things Kids Have Ever Said or Done FactsPexels

17. Decency

In Singapore if you move around the house undressed, without closing the blinds, you can be detained. No, being hot doesn’t make this any less forbidden.

Cults FactsShutterstock

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18. Bear With Me

Bear wrestling is unlawful in Alabama, and with good reason, as we’re sure the bears were winning every match. We always knew wrestling was rigged.

Sad But True FactsPixabay

 

19. Put Some Clothes On

In Devon, Texas, it is against the law to make furniture while you are undressed. We’re not sure if this extends to Ikea furniture as well. Best to be safe and only make furniture fully clothed in Devon.

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

20. Trickster

In Pennsylvania, it’s against the law to tie a dollar bill on a string on the ground and pull it away when someone tries to pick it up.

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

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21. Under where?

In Thailand, you can’t leave your house if you are not wearing underwear. How would anyone know?

Weird Laws FactsPixabay

22. Surprise!

In Samoa, it is unlawful to forget your wife’s birthday. This is more helpful than crazy, really.

Quiz: Anne FrankPixabay

23. Professional

In Los Angeles, CA it’s forbidden for a waiter to tell a customer “I’m really an actor.” Act your way out of this one, man !

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

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24. Bluffing

In Texas, it’s forbidden to threaten somebody with an UNLOADED weapon. Lock and load, folks.

Outlaws factsShutterstock

25. Melty

In Kentucky, carrying ice cream cones in your pocket is forbidden. Who the heck would do that anyway? We’re so confused.

Wyatt Earp factsPixabay

26. MGM Lion

In Baltimore, Maryland, taking a lion to the cinema is unlawful. Why do so many Baltimore residents own lions?

Liam Neeson factsThe Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Walt Disney Pictures

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27. Notice

In Texas, if you are going to commit a problem, you legally have to give 24 hours notice to the authorities. Either orally or in written form. There’s no way this is a successful law.

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

28. Dental Plan

In Providence, Rhode Island, selling toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday is unlawful. Make sure you stock up on your dental products on Saturday when it’s safe, or make multiple trips on Sunday, your choice.

Worst Christmas Gifts factsPixabay

29. Smack On The Wrist

In Chico, California, the law states that anybody who detonates a nuclear device within the city limits is liable to a fine of $500. Chico must be really cheap to rebuild.

Shocked man in red polo shirt standing in front of a gray backgroundAndrea Piacquadio, Shutterstock

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30. Big Game

In British Columbia, it is unlawful to hurt a Sasquatch or Bigfoot, if one is ever found. You know, just in case one is found, we wouldn’t want it to get ended.

bigfoot-542546_960_720.jpgPixabay

31. Big Fish

You cannot fish while sitting on a giraffe’s neck in Chicago. Luckily, you’ll be hard pressed to find a Giraffe in Chicago.

Weird Laws FactsPexels

32. In God We Trust

In seven U.S. states, according to their constitutions, atheists are barred from holding public office. You better believe it!

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

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33. Delete!

Since 1986, US authorities have had the lawful right to access any 180-day old email, without a warrant. Yikes.

Stupidest Things to Impress Crush factsPixabay

34. Time Travel

In Saudi Arabia, it is forbidden for any woman to drive a car. As of 2015 women were given the right to vote in Saudi Arabia. Progress! My Guilty Past Still Haunts MeShutterstock

35. Saving Myself

In Dubai, extramarital intercourse is against the law and could result in lock up sentences for over a year.

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

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36. Don’t Get Me Angry

In the Philippines, you can be charged with the deed of “unjust vexation” for doing just that, vexing someone. And yes, it is as vague and arbitrary as it sounds. Also, what’s justified vexation?

The Most Hated Rulers In World History FactsShutterstock

37. Pick It Up

In Thailand, it is unlawful to step on money. That’s ok, we’d rather pick it up anyway.

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

38. Ancient

In Arkansas, there still exists a law that was instated in the 1800s that states a husband is allowed to beat his wife, but only once a month. Clearly a relic of a bygone era.

Medieval England QuizShutterstock

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39. Bzzzzz

In Arizona, having more than two adult toy in your home is forbidden. If you own more than two in your house, you can be subject to unlawful possession. We won’t tell if you don’t.

Ada Lovelace factsShutterstock

40. Top Of The world

In Massachusetts, a strange law makes it forbidden for couples to have intercourse while the woman is on top. Who’s writing these laws?

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

41. Private

In North Carolina, couples are technically only allowed to have intercourse while in the missionary position and with the curtains pulled. Note that all of these laws banning certain types of consensual intimacy are largely unenforceable.

Weird Laws FactsShutterstock

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42. Golden Showers

In Champagne, France, you can’t pee in your neighbor’s mouth. Finally, a law that prevents this! These Crazy Coincidences Blew Our MindsPexels

Sources: 1, 2

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