Everyone knows that laws are meant to set the rules for what is and what is not allowed in society. But no one ever said they had to make sense. The weirdest laws around the world seem to belong to this category, defying common sense. These weird laws around the world will leave you laughing disbelievingly or shaking your head in wonder, marvelling at the purpose of having such a rule.
In this article, we will explore the 15 weirdest laws around the world that actually exist. If any of these laws are in force wherever you live, then watch out! From laws that penalize you for dying, to those prohibiting the wearing of armour in the British Parliament, these exercises in absurdity can offer a fascinating insight into the history and culture of the country enforcing them. So read on about these weird laws around the world and prepare to be amused, baffled, and just a little better informed.
15 Weirdest Laws That Will Blow Your Mind
Some of these, the world’s strangest laws, may seem funny unless you examine the purpose behind which they were drafted. Once you understand the context, they may not seem so weird. Others, which hark back to a bygone age, make sense considering the time in which they were enforced. And some don’t seem so strange once you’ve considered the culture and the political system they exist in. Let’s take a look at these laws and determine if they truly are the weirdest laws in the world.
1. Ban on chewing gum – Singapore
Singapore is famous for its ban on chewing gum. Known for its spotless streets, efficient public services, and world-class tourist attractions, Singapore has banned the sale, use, and import of chewing gum. This ban was put in place after realizing the serious damage that gum litter was causing, jamming the subway doors and elevator buttons, and fouling public spaces.
The cleanup bill reached a humungous $150,000 annually to clean up the mess that gum left behind, and so it has been banned since 1992. Therapeutic gum is allowed, but only if you have a prescription.
2. Illegal to die – France
Imagine trying to outlaw death! As if death will pay heed! Three French cities have declared that it is illegal to die in them without first reserving a burial plot. It started in Le Lavandau because of the lack of burial space.
The rationale for this law is more bureaucratic than punitive, and goes back to the year 2000 when the mayor was not granted space for a new burial ground. The law was more in the form of a protest against an absurd situation, but it has since then been enacted in two other cities in the country.
3. Wearing armor is banned in parliament – United Kingdom
The Bearing of Armour Act of 1313 was enacted by the then monarch, Edward II, to prevent nobles from using force when Parliament was called. It remains on the books to this date, a testament to the abiding love of the British for their traditions. While it probably doesn’t harm anyone to still have it on the books, it remains a prime example of weird laws that have no relevance in today’s world. But it begs the question: Does the ban include modern-day armour such as Kevlar?
4. Running out of fuel on the autobahn – Germany
Running out of fuel on the highway is never a good idea, but on the German autobahns, it is illegal, as you are not allowed to stop. It sounds weird. After all, who runs out of fuel deliberately? The reason behind this law is that it is a safety hazard. Running out of fuel means leaving a stalled car in the middle of the autobahn.
These highways have no speed limits in some sections, and a stalled car in the middle poses a serious hazard not just for the guilty driver but for everyone else. It can attract a fine of up to €70. If you cause an accident, the penalty could be much more severe. So, check your fuel gauge before embarking on a trip.
5. Don’t handle salmon suspiciously – United Kingdom
The Salmon Act of 1986, enacted in the UK, was intended to combat poaching and illegal trade. The wording, however, makes one wonder. It says it is “illegal to handle salmon in a suspicious manner”. The weird phrasing has made this law the subject of innumerable comedy club jokes, and one wonders what defines “suspicious behavior”? We can only marvel at the thought process of the framers of that law.
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6. It is illegal to feed pigeons – Venice, Italy
Feeding pigeons has been banned in Venice since 2008. While this may sound like a weird law to have on the statute books, the city was forced to enact it as a measure to protect its monuments. The tradition of feeding the pigeons led to several hundred flocking to the city.
Their constant pecking and pooping began to cause damage to many of the monuments, endangering their status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ban is still in force today, and fines can go up to a whopping €500.
7. Don’t hoard over 50 kgs. of potatoes – Australia
A law enacted in Western Australia prohibits the trading or storing of more than 50 kgs of potatoes unless you are a licensed grower or agent. The law was enacted in 1946 and was intended as a measure to regulate their supply at a time of shortages post the war.
While it may seem a bit ridiculous in today’s day and age, it shows how regulations can be necessary for resource management during difficult circumstances. Today, it would only impact you if you wanted to start a vodka distillery at home.
8. Smiling except at funerals is compulsory – Milan, Italy
This one is a doozy! A law in Milan, Italy, makes it compulsory to smile at all times except at funerals or hospitals. The law hails from Austro-Hungarian times, and although rarely enforced, it reminds one to remain cheery or somber as the occasion demands it.
Heaven help you if you get the giggles at a hospital or are a dour, unsmiling creature who resides in Milan. You’re headed for trouble with the law.
9. Don’t wake the bears – Alaska, USA
At first glance, this seems like a nonsensical law. On second thought, maybe a law that prohibits you from waking up a bear to take a photo makes sense in this age of social media when every influencer is trying to outdo the other.
One assumes that only a stupid person would attempt to awaken a sleeping bear. But the law is on the books to protect humans, stupid or otherwise, and bears, to keep both species safe. It is a wildlife law that is necessary in areas where bear-human interactions frequently happen.
10. No high heels inside a monument – Greece
In 2009, Greece enacted a law that prohibited the wearing of high heels inside any of its monuments. While it may seem like a weird infringement on personal rights, the law was intended to protect its national monuments, several of which are made of marble.
Greece spends a high amount of money on the preservation of its monuments, and sharp heels are known to cause micro-scratches and marks, so the law does make sense. Besides, who in their right mind would wear high heels while walking through ancient cities?
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11. Wear appropriate clothes – Spain
Spain has passed a law aimed mostly at tourists. You are not allowed to wear beach clothes away from the beach or pool. If caught doing so, you can be fined a hefty amount. Also known as the bikini law, it is enforced in Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, and also applies if you are wandering around shirtless.
While it may seem like a ridiculous infringement on your personal rights in a democratic country, the law is meant as a means to protect the sensibilities of the local population who live and work there.
12. Ban on selfies in front of Buddha – Sri Lanka
The Buddha is a venerated figure in Sri Lankan society and culture. The law prohibits any insults, perceived or otherwise, to statues and images of the Buddha. Turning your back on a statue of the Buddha is considered as being disrespectful and can get you into trouble. That pretty much rules out selfies. In 2012, 3 French tourists actually received suspended jail sentences and fines over insulting photographs in their possession. Remember, while travelling, it pays to respect local culture so as not to offend anyone.
13. Allow strangers to use your bathroom – Scotland
A law that says you must allow strangers to use your bathroom? You can’t be serious! The law is an extension of an old Scottish law that requires you to extend hospitality to all guests. It is an enforceable one, although it hasn’t been written into law, but it does capture the essence of Scottish warmth and hospitality. Your chances of someone honoring it will depend upon how desperate or disreputable you look.
14. No drunk driving with a cow or horse – Scotland
Another weird one from Scotland prohibits you from being drunk when in charge of a cow, horse, carriage or steam engine. We’ve heard of laws against drunk driving, but this one takes the cake. The law dates back to 1872, and to imagine why it was needed, all you have to do is imagine a bunch of drunken Scots, cavorting around town with their cows and horses, wreaking havoc everywhere they went. Quite the picture.
15. No climbing trees – Oderzo, Italy
A small town in northern Italy, Oderzo, has announced a ban on tree climbing in public spaces, and violators can be fined between €25 and €500. The official reasoning for the ban is that it is for the protection of the trees and public safety. The rule is meant to prevent injuries from falls and damage to the landscape, but it is probably a measure to limit public liability.
The outcry has been vociferous, with some critics saying, rather tongue-in-cheek, that it is to promote the use of social media so that kids don’t play outdoors and hurt themselves.
Conclusion
These laws teach us one thing, and that is that reality can be far stranger than fiction. What begins as an attempt at order, to regulate human behavior, can often wind up as a relic of a bygone era and a very funny bit of trivia. Some of these laws still hold weight while others have faded into the background, just footnotes in legal texts. But they do serve as windows into the past (or present) of how societies function and how they respond to particular circumstances.
So, the next time you shake your head or roll your eyes at some obscure law or ordinance, remember this. Someone, somewhere, once thought it an absolute necessity to enact that particular law. Until then, just keep the high heels off ancient marble, keep your gas tank full on the autobahn, and avoid taking your cow out to the bar.
