Laws do not exist to be broken. The legislation of any country is designed to resolve any social problems and serves to ensure the comfort of its citizens. But what to do if there are strange laws from different countries? What to do then? The situation can be aggravated if this is not your state and you do not fully understand local customs or even laws. This is exactly what we will tell you about in our article.
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Before you go on a trip, you need to get to know the country, customs and, of course, laws. Do you know that in different countries, things and actions that are common to you can end in big problems? If you didn’t know, then read:
Unusual laws of Australia
This exotic country has its own characteristics and unusual laws. This is due to the historical development of the state. Thus, on Sunday, the law prohibits wearing pink trousers in public places after noon. Why this is prohibited is difficult to explain. The law also prohibits replacing a burnt-out light bulb yourself. Only a qualified electrician can do this. And this is the right decision that can save lives.
These laws may seem funny, strange, or even ridiculous. But for violating them you can get a real fine, or even imprisonment. You can only hope that the Australian police will also treat you with humor. Australia's strange laws are serious, although such regulations cannot help but make you smile.
For example, if you store, buy or sell more than fifty kilograms of potatoes in Western Australia, you face serious fines. The law arose due to a food war between what was then a colony and its mother country, British Empire. There, you will have to pay a $1,000 fine for a crumpled beer can between your bare breasts. And in South Australia, if you try to disrupt a wedding, you can be fined $10,000 and forced to pay damages.
Unusual laws of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
There are various unusual laws in the UK. But most of them still remain only regulations on paper. This is due to the historical past of the United Kingdom. Because over time, living conditions in Great Britain have changed greatly. And today the British, Scots, and Irish are models of law-abidingness and law and order. Although... For example, special signs are still installed at the railway station. Since the law prohibits kissing on the platform. The explanation is quite simple – Long goodbyes will hamper the work of transport services.
In the UK you are prohibited from placing a stamp upside down if it shows a king or queen. It is difficult to imagine how much the police monitor the implementation of this ban, but the honor of the royal family is protected by law not only on paper.
There is also a law in the UK against handling salmon suspiciously. What exactly we are talking about is a mystery, but the fact remains a fact. This law was introduced quite recently – in 1986. And the punishment can be quite severe – fine or up to 3 months imprisonment.
We do not advise you to take these prohibitions lightly! Coastal Suffolk bans feeding seagulls. And the fine for violating this strange law is not small. – about €3000. If you cycle on the pavement in London, you'll also pay £100 out of pocket. Parking your vehicle without switching off for more than three minutes will cost you £120. London strives to provide comfort to its residents in every possible way, which is why such strange laws appeared.
Interesting laws in Italy
Another country – leader in interesting laws – this is Italy. Early Italy consisted of many states. Therefore, the laws in Italy are quite varied and unusual. But it’s not only the ancient prescriptions that are surprising. For example, in 2008, Venice banned feeding pigeons in Piazza San Marco. The Italians explain this by saying that birds damage historical buildings and monuments and carry dangerous diseases. This unusual law provides for good penalties.
City Eracleia, which is located near Venice, has banned the building of sand castles on the beach. Because it “impedes the passage” of people walking along the shore. In the town of Eboli, lovers are not allowed to kiss in a vehicle. You cannot step on the Italian island of Capri in wooden lasts or other shoes that make noise.
Therefore, if you are planning to visit Italy, leave your bad mood and all your problems at home. Because in this country it is forbidden to frown. There is a fine for violating this strange law 🙂! This law was adopted in the 19th century and has not yet been formally repealed. But this ban certainly makes me smile! Thus already helping to fulfill it.
Unusual laws in Singapore
The country has unusual laws banning the export and consumption of chewing gum. It was adopted back in 1992. It could cost you $400. Since the government of the republic is confident that this product negatively affects health and pollutes the environment. It would seem, what a trifle! But if you lose a little of your money, it won’t be so funny for you.
You'll pay as much as $500 if you don't flush a public toilet. There is an unusual law in Singapore that if you break it, you will pay $1000 if you want to feed birds.
In Singapore, you can get 3 years in prison for unauthorized connection to someone else's Wi-Fi hotspot.
Interesting Samoan law
An interesting law of the independent state of Samoa for men - on the islands it is forbidden to forget your wife’s birthday.
Unusual laws in Tonga
In the Kingdom of Tonga, it is illegal to sleep under a coconut tree. You face a hefty fine. The intent of this Tongan law is simple. – protect the country's citizens and visitors from the coconut tree, which kills many people every year.
It is also prohibited to work on Sunday in Tonga. The origin of this strange law is simple. The Kingdom is a Christian country, and the basis of Christian culture is the veneration of Sunday.
Unusual laws in Egypt
Egypt is quite popular among travelers today. Many tourists visit the pyramids and ancient pagan temples every year. But even here there are rules of conduct. So, for example, if you want to look at birds through binoculars while at the airport, you may have difficulties with law enforcement. The punishment is quite severe. Arrest or even imprisonment. Since the law sees in this action of yours an attempt to spy on state aviation.
German laws
Oddly enough, Germany, which is often associated with law and order, has its own strange laws. Laws prohibit braking on the expressway. Even in emergency situations. And no exceptions will save you from paying a fine. For example, a flat tire or lack of automobile fuel in the vehicle tank.
In the country, it is prohibited on Sundays to mow lawns, repair cars, listen to loud music, or even use a washing machine (if it is an apartment building). Also, on weekends, dogs should not bark for more than 30 minutes.
Unusual laws in the USA
Unusual US laws. The United States was formed on the basis of various ethnic groups. Each of them contributed something unique, original and inimitable to the legislative field of the state. These laws reflected unique original and non-standard legislative options for the historical development of society. Sometimes laws were a way to solve the simplest everyday problems. But today they cause a genuine smile and amazement at such a legislative initiative.
Unusual laws in some US states especially stand out from the general background. Even local residents regard such norms with irony. But there are also real fines for violations. Illinois makes it illegal to hit rats with a baseball bat. You could be fined $1000. Minnesota is against using a vehicle with unclean tires. For this, the fine is up to $2000.
It is illegal to kill dogs in the state of Colorado. For such an action you will have to pay $500 out of your pocket. And, if you steal your neighbor's dog, you face a prison sentence of ten years. For flirting in New York you can be fined a quarter of a hundred. Indecent clothing is not acceptable in the State of Georgia. These laws are quite difficult to explain, but still there were some prerequisites for these rules of law.
Almost all countries whose state religion is Islam prohibit the import of pig meat and alcohol. This almost always does not end with a fine. For such offenses you may be subject to physical punishment (beating with sticks) or even the death penalty.
Bans in Iran
The consumption, import and production of alcohol is prohibited in Iran. Even planes that fly in transit over this Islamic country are prohibited from serving alcohol in the cabin.
In Iran, women are prohibited by law from playing football and are even criminalized for attending football or other sporting events. Women are also prohibited from appearing in public places without a hijab and clothing that securely covers the entire body except the hands and face. Compliance with this law is monitored by a special moral police.
Strange laws of the UAE
In the emirate of Dubai, the UAE has a strange law that prohibits men from riding in pink carriages, which can only be used by women. Tourists from different countries are often fined for violating this legal norm.
You can buy alcohol in the UAE, but you will have to pay additional fees to the emirate for this. Drinking alcohol in public places is also prohibited. – For this you can be jailed for 6 months. Those who appear in a public place while intoxicated can face the same penalty.
In 2020, a strange law was passed in the UAE prohibiting eating food in public places during the holy month of Ramadan. This even applies to tourists. For violating this law you face 1 month in prison.
Intimate relationships outside of marriage are prohibited in the UAE. This aspect of life is difficult to verify, but with clear evidence, a woman can be sent to prison for 16 months and given a hefty fine. Kissing, hugging and other displays of affection in public places are also prohibited.
In the UAE there is a special police force that ensures that people do not film on the streets. In the Emirates, you can film and photograph only in places specifically permitted for this. You also cannot operate drones and copters without a pilot’s license.
Also, in the UAE you cannot dress up as someone of the opposite sex. This threatens with prison and heavy fines.
What you can't do in Turkey
Türkiye is a secular country where religion is officially separated from the state. This was started by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk – folk hero and national icon of Turkey. But recently, this country has begun to gradually become Islamized, and norms have begun to appear that, at the legislative level, enshrine the norms of Islam in social life.
So in Turkey it is forbidden to ride with a woman in the next seat on public transport. There are no exceptions even for married couples and close relatives.
Turkey has a law prohibiting speaking ill of Ataturk and the current president. There are precedents when foreigners ended up in prison for insulting the head of state.
What does a traveler need to know about the legal regulations of other countries?
We remind you that if you are planning to go somewhere, it will not be superfluous to know and, of course, comply with the laws of this country, even if they seem strange to us. Because this very abnormality of the law does not mean at all that it can not be fulfilled. If this results in serious trouble, then all the more should you comply with them.
In which countries of the world it is forbidden to feed birds and save potatoes, dress in pink and use chewing gum, we have shown you. These are varieties of the strangest and at the same time funniest bills in the countries of the world. And ridiculous laws actually exist in every country. Some of them arose from unexpected legal precedent. But everything flows, everything changes - but the laws remain. What is written does not lose its validity until this norm is officially repealed.
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