The Traveller's Magazine
It was only last year that a law made in the 1800s was taken off the books in France, forbidding women to wear pants in Paris. However there are dozens of out-dated and very curious laws around the world that could land you a fine while travelling if you’re not careful! So don’t get caught chewing gum on the streets of Singapore and read up on the world’s more ridiculous laws.
Netherlands
It’s illegal to smoke a cigarette in coffee shops and cafés but you’re allowed to smoke a joint.
Switzerland
It is not allowed to flush your toilet after 22:00. Equally bizarre, it is forbidden to dry your clothes outside on a Sunday.
Singapore
Businesses have been banned from even selling chewing gum since 1992, at the same time when gum-chewing was also banned across this city-state. The law was made in attempts to clean up the city, and keep it that way.
Russia
There is a law against driving a dirty car, which of course makes good business for car washers! The reasoning behind this law is that many traffic-law breakers were getting away because police couldn’t read their license plates that were covered in dirt. Make sure you keep your rental car in Moscow scrupulously clean while on holidays!
Italy
Italy recently introduced a number of laws that seem, at first glance, completely absurd:
- In Capri it is strictly forbidden to wear shoes that are noisy.
- In Vigevano, a town close to Milan, it’s illegal to sit in the shadow of a monument.
- In Eraclea, children of all ages (even you!) are not allowed to build sandcastles on public beaches.
Germany
Under no circumstances are drivers allowed to stop on the express way or Autobahn. Similarly it is against the law to run out of gas. This doesn’t just go for Germans, but for foreigner’s too! So gas up and keep going!
South-East Asia
Durians, a local fruit with quite the foul smell, are not allowed to be eaten or even brought near public places. That’s right, you can’t even bring it in your bag.
Canada
There is one peculiar law in Canada that protects businesses against annoying clients that want to pay in small change. You cannot purchase items costing at least $25 with Loonies, $1 coins, for example.
USA
Thanks to the prudish American jurisdiction system, they’ve won themselves the award for the most outlandish laws, here are just a few:
- Alabama: You cannot drive a car blindfolded.
- Florida: It is not allowed for an unmarried women to skydive or parachute on Sundays.
- Arizona: If you are caught stealing soap, you are obliged by law to wash yourself with that soap until it is gone.
- Kentucky: It’s against the law to put your ice cream cone in your pocket, so don’t even think about it!
United Kingdom
- It is against the law to die in the Parliament (Westminster) in London, so if you plan on it, don’t!
- When putting stamps on your postcards in Britain, watch out! It is considered an act of treason to glue a stamp with a Monarch’s head upside down on the envelope or postcard.
Dubai
This law is more cultural than absurd, but a growing number of tourists have been arrested while on holidays in Dubai for not knowing it:
It is illegal to kiss in public.
Greece
Since 2002, it is illegal to play video games. Theoretically this also means playing Doodle Jump on your iPhone is considered breaking the law!
France
Did you know it is still considered breaking the law to kiss on the platform of a train? So make sure you get your goodbye smooches over with before you reach the platform!
Do you know any others?
sesesese
In America its illegal to unlock your smartphone
A Singaporean here, I didn’t like gums in the first place, so that law didn’t bother me. And really if you compared streets in singapore to many other countries, they are so much cleaner without gums stuck all over the floor. As for the law regarding durians, it is quite a considerate act, not everyone can take the smell of durians and the smell is really strong and lingers for a long time so it is only sensible to ban it.
In France it is illegal to call your pig napoleon
For real Bob? That’s well… ridiculous. Although, I can imagine most people don’t name their pigs and if they do, I’m sure Wilbur is a popular option. 😉
You are allowed to kill a scotsman who is holding a bow and arrow within the ancient city walls of york, in England
Unbelievable!!
I looked into it, there is a law against paying for an item costing $0.26 (hst included) in pennies, there is a $0.25 limit. Also, you cannot pay for an item costing more than $5.00 in nickels. Similarly there is a law prohibiting paying for something costing more than $10 in dimes. Of course, like Milligan commented below, you can pay in loose change but only if the merchant agrees, otherwise take your change to the bank.
What you said about Canadian laws isnt true. Sorry.
Well then, I broke that rule many times already. Good to know!
Great list, even though I personally think the gum and public kissing laws are too much … in some instances, I can think of good use for them. I hate when people spit gum on the streets or stick them under seats/desks (which probs primary reason Singapore outlawed them). And for public kissing, some couples just show way too much affection on public transportation such as trains, subways, buses, etc. I don't want to see it. Haha. Those are the instances I think they should be banned haha. Great list though!
Wow! That's incredible… I guess you shouldn't really go anywhere these days without a little cash but having a law against it is just silly! Thanks for sharing!
these laws are funny, i have a better one, am in kenya, one of our stupid laws is you cant walk around with no money (being broke is a crime) the reason is that if you have no money that means you want to steal
Haha, yes of course, and if you've ever carried 25+ loonies in your pocket you'll know how heavy they are! As a consumer, I'd be very willing to get rid of them to lighten my load! Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for your specification Milligan! Nevertheless, we will try not to pay with $1 coins those kind of bills next time we go to Canada! 🙂
A lot of these are carefully worded to make them seem sillier than they really are. For instance “You cannot purchase items costing at least $25 with Loonies, $1 coins”. Of course you can, if the merchant is willing to accept them. It's just that the merchant is not REQUIRED to accept them as legal tender if the amount is over $25 and can insist on another form of payment to complete the transaction.
A lot of these are carefully worded to make them seem sillier than they really are. For instance “You cannot purchase items costing at least $25 with Loonies, $1 coins”. Of course you can, if the merchant is willing to accept them. It's just that the merchant is not REQUIRED to accept them as legal tender if the amount is over $25 and can insist on another form of payment to complete the transaction.
In Hawai, you can be in trouble for NOT owning a boat (i really don't know if that one is true).
It can be worrying indeed! Fortunately not so many of us carry a crossbow in their handbags nowadays! 🙂
In Chester, England a local byelaw states that a Welsh person found within the city walls after sunset can be taken out with a crossbow! Given that Chester is only a few miles from Wales and me being a Welshman this is slightly worrying.