Final verdict: The point of this weird law was to help bolster state art agencies. In Argentina, there is a law that states that Argentine nightclubs must play the same amount of tango music as all other forms of music combined. We wish this one had a more interesting backstory, but the full law actually makes sense: No person shall drive a vehicle when it is loaded or when there are in the front seat such a number of persons as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the drivers control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.. In Norway, there is a law that protects all female dogs and cats from being spayed. What kind of nut eats fried chicken with a knife and fork? While this law appears to be a direct assault on the First Amendment, it's thought to have been conceived in order to protect the public. Final verdict: Dunkin Donuts and coffee are as American as it gets, and so is this weird law. Michigan has a large Christian population, and in their faith, its believed that Sunday should be reserved for rest, family time and church. Most Recent Stupid Laws It is illegal to ask about a job It is illegal to die in town It's illegal to idle your car in your own driveway 1,000 Hours of training is required to braid hair. By law, any whale or great Sturgeon caught in the UK is the property of the Queen. Horse-tripping became a popular event, so much so that Oklahoma had to outlaw the practice, along with 12 other states. Why couldnt they have just forbidden bonfires? Its not like it was the couches fault. The assembling of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In Canada, it's now legal to engage in oral sex with your pet. 26. Can You Believe These Weird Laws? Ain't no poking fun at this one. A barn? However, according to the Sexual Offences Act, it was a crime for teens to engage in this behaviour. In Canada, any comic book that portrays illegal activity is banned. Often, travelers can get a good idea of what is and is not allowed in other countries with a little careful thought. Skamania County, Washington, was the first county to draft the law in 1964 which states that "any . In Colorado it is illegal to collect rainwater. People used to set up bear-wrestling rings. Local officials decided that bouncy pickles were fresher than those that just flopped onto the ground when dropped, and so the law was born. The metabo law requires all citizens over age 40 to have their waist measurements taken once a year. Unfortunately, when a local dam broke, the house flooded, and the bathtub floated away, donkey and all. (1) It is illegal to pretend to practice witchcraft in Canada. It takes place each 8th of March. How about laws in retrograde. So, the government has instituted a policy of allowing only approved names to be entered on German birth certificates. According to the Wisconsin State Legislature, non-tasty cheese is technically punishable by law. Singing or playing only part of the national anthem or remixing it as dance music is punishable by a fine of not more than $100, according to Massachusetts State Legislature. In Britain, oddly enough it is illegal to be drunk in the pub. In Arizona, having more than two vibrators in your home is illegal. Listed below are 10 interesting facts about Greenland. 45. 3. In Rhode Island, a union can be considered invalid under the grounds that the party is deemed to be, collectively, an idiot or a lunatic. The purpose of most legislation is to promote acceptable behavior and to prevent or punish unacceptable behavior. 30. According to tradition, the Buddhist leader, who is in his eighties, will be reborn to help humanity.[7]. In the Philippines you can be charged with the crime of unjust vexation for doing just that, vexing someone. You might find you're guilty of one or two violations. When Hawaii joined the United States in 1900, it still had its own coinage. This includes a selection of both past and current laws. This is one weird law we're very thankful for. So we might think its a good thing that councillors give careful consideration to any mascots that they might put on a playground. Though most of these laws sound incredibly dumb now, once they've had, or still does have, a real pretense. The course for this frozen version of Golf is snow fields along with icebergs in between. Wait, I cant wear a bulletproof vest? In some cases, both the bride and the groom are absent. Weird laws in the world's northernmost town: no funerals allowed, and no cats please! In Virginia, hunting is forbidden on Sundays, unless you're hunting raccoons. To prevent any old Joe from masquerading as one, though, Massachusetts requires fortune-tellers to live in the state for a minimum of a year before applying for a license. Children have impressionable minds. In other words, the law implies that no atheists are allowed to run. hamburg_berlin/Shutterstock 5. Ancient stone camels in Saudi Arabia older than Archeologists discover enigmatic ancient site near Prague. The reason for this law comes down to respect for cultural traditions. Marriage. Final verdict: Or you cant lie down to sleep, at least. 28. Not So Crazy Eboli is a small town in Italy, and kissing in a moving vehicle is banned here. Why would there be that much honking happening at 9 p.m.? For reasons unknown, these laws are still in place. Greenland is one of the best locations in the world to view the dancing Northern lights. That begs the question: Who had tires so muddy that people took the issue to city hall? A second clause specifies that passengers cant position themselves in such a way that it impedes the drivers peripheral vision. Employers must ensure that their employees participate in the scheme or risk fines of up to $19 million. 2. 47. Final verdict: This weird law was intended for hackers to prevent people from selling Netflix login details in bulk. Most public pools have vending machines that sell microscopic swimwear in any color you want.[5]. Remote planet: Which is the worlds southernmost city? Some evidence suggests that trial by combatmight technically be legal on a federal level even today. Oral sex is often considered sodomy by many states, according to the Hebrew Bible. Other strange driving laws in America include: You can't wash your neighbour's car without permission in Los Angeles. If you do, the fish and wildlife commission will charge you with a Class A misdemeanor, according to Justia. Everywhere in the world, you can find weird laws and Texas is no exception. An extremely stunning phenomenon is the midnight Sun which means that the day does not end with a setting sun. When you're driving in Bolivia and other countries in South . And yes, it is as vague and arbitrary as it sounds. There's a myth floating around on the Internet that there's a German law which forbids the hanging of laundry on Sundays. Obviously, eating it with your hands is the right way. In Florida it is illegal for a divorced or a widowed woman to skydive on a Sunday afternoon. FALSE! Shady psychics probably wont bother jumping through all the hoops. How many sleazy seaweed peddlers have you met? Below are 51 absurdly ridiculous laws to keep in mind next time you travel to Europe. The logic behind this weird law was that sleeping around heavy machinery was a bad idea. Anyone "pretending to forecast or foretell the future of another by cards, palm reading or any other scheme, practice or device" can be found guilty of a misdemeanor and fined up to $500, or even serve time in jail, according to Maryland State Legislature. In Massachusetts it is deemed illegal for a woman to be on top during sex. Only male dogs and cats can be neutered. Still, it can be hard to understand the laws and customs of other countries, and travelers are often advised to take care not to inadvertently break the law. However, you can swap out the trough for a wastebasket if the swine are raised for your own consumption, according to Arizona State Legislature. In Samoa it is illegal to forget your wife's birthday. Mount Washington features rare alpine plants such as Greenland sandwort, Labrador tea, alpine bearberry, dwarf cinquefoil, dwarf birch, willow, and balsam fir. If you broke up three times, why would a fourth try be any different? Only about one in every 30,000 deer is born albino. Supposedly, the reason for the rule is hygiene. Although the tight swimsuits may not always be flattering, they are unlikely to have been worn outside on the streets. Operated since 1924. According to Wyoming State Legislature, violations are felony offenses punishable by up to five years in prison. "Fornication" or sex is completed banned, except for married couples. In Britain it is illegal to handle a salmon in suspicious circumstances. The Worldwide Championship of Ice Golf is held in the month of March in a popular city of Greenland namely, Uummannaq. The laws lightened up over the years, with margarine sales remaining a criminal offense until 1967. The Different Types of Stupid Laws The Dumbest Laws of California The Silliest English Laws You Won't Believe these Funny Laws America's Short Mistake of Prohibition Apparently, it will become legal in 2015 (how sweet). This law was enacted to prevent people from being forced to foot the bill for food they didnt order. However, if you want to use one in Cambodia, you are likely to be disappointed or get into trouble. The freezing temperatures also require that all houses are built on stilts, so when the islands layer of topsoil melts in, the structures dont sink or slide away causing any accidents. Invite a leprechaun to dinner - one of the top weird laws in Ireland. Under it, no landlord could demand money owed by their tenants for a drink! One of the by-laws for the city says, "No person shall interfere with a tree or part of a tree located on municipal property, including but not limited to attaching, affixing or placing upon in any manner any object or thing to a tree or part of a tree, and climbing the tree." If it keeps creepy clowns of the road, we're OK with it. In 2007, the Chinese government banned Buddhists from reincarnating without prior written authorization in an important move to institutionalize management of reincarnation., However, the law would allow the Chinese a say in the next reincarnation of the most important Living Buddha when the current Dalai Lama dies. No, a woman's hair does not legally belong to her husband in Michigan. . They are also required to attend to their parents spiritual needs. This road sign is meant to remind drivers to be cautious about their speeds on an upcoming hill. To ascertain the legal status of Eastern Greenland, the PCJ relied on the following premises: The continuous and peaceful exercise of sovereignty over Greenland resulted in the title towards Denmark. Lighter Side 60 Weird Laws Around the World By Lissa Poirot and Brittany Alexandra Sulc, updated on February 7, 2023 Getty Images Every country is different, and every country's laws are different. In essence, it bans the launching of any dangerous object, from stones to missiles to just about anything in between, within the bounds of Cumberland parks and playgrounds. It's illegal to carry away or collect seaweed at night in New Hampshire. Any form of the "occult arts" is illegal to practice in Yamhill, including "fortune-telling, astrology, phrenology, palmistry, clairvoyance, mesmerism, spiritualism or any other practice or practices generally recognized to be unsound and unscientific whereby an attempt or pretense is made.". In Utah you can marry your cousin, but only if you are both over the age of 65. (River would be out, as would North.) Finally, it must make the sex of the baby clear. It was enacted in the 1970s to essentially label horses as vehicles. 14. The poor bears were also subjected to inhumane practices, like removing their claws and teeth, to prevent them from killing their human opponents. No one under 16 was allowed to smooch or show public displays of affectionthe horror (for the teens, that is). 48. No horse shall be driven or ridden on any street in the city at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour, and every horse shall be kept under control at all times by the person in charge thereof. Hello everybody this is Ethan welcome back to another episode of Unique Facts And Weird Laws. This wacky law came about almost a century ago when a ranch owners donkey had gotten in the habit of sleeping in the bathtub. 5. To preserve rare species of Arctic birds, locals are not allowed to bring cats in town as well, hence none feral friend can be spotted nearby. The second one constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by fines or jail time. Gambling at a home poker game is illegal in Belgium. 10. Musical instruments, clocks, kitchenwarethey are just a few of the items that can't be sold on this day. Though the subject has been reviewed in the French parliament several times since then, the law has not been repealed and is still strictly enforced. Body studios are illegal. 1 Being in a Bar While Drunk. 2. Location of Cities: ithas a lot to do with water, Seattle: the most extensive terrain alteration in city building history, Radio tudent, one of Europes strongest alternative stations, struggling with funding cuts, Rebellious Rog: Ljubljanas shameful shutting down of its former bike factory turned culture center, Traveling pill #1: Dont do yoga on Holocaust monuments. Erin McDowell. It is popular due to the fact that it has the fastest moving glacier in the entire Northern hemisphere. It is a thrilling natural phenomenon that can be experienced only when there is no midnight sun. This allowance does not apply in high-stakes Beano, which, apparently, is also a thing. "White deer," as people often call these mammalian anomalies, are extremely rare. Greenland is called Greenland because that's what famous viking Erik the Red decided to call it when he started the first European settlement there in 982 AD. In Billings, however, you cant buy or sell a rat unless its for the purpose of feeding a reptile or bird of prey. The law has since been amended to establish Bigfoot as an endangered species. This weird Nevada law is founded on logic - although that might not seem apparent at first. In Vermont, a wife needs the husbands permission to wear false teeth. That's 75-plus salamanders, according to fair market value. You might even recognize this legendary street from the movies. Greenland is a unique land with exquisite and exotic flora and fauna. 11. "Renovated butter" must also be labeled as such, according to Iowa State Legislature. The law applies also to trout, eels, lampreys, smelt, freshwater fish, and any other fish "specified for the purpose." Unfortunately, people are terrible. Otherwise, it is a crime of the third degree.. Final verdict:No, this isn't an attack on good, clean Halloween fun. 16. 50. Let's take a look at some of these weird laws from around the world to know about how unusual they are: 1. In Britain, it is illegal to carry a plank along the pavement. Except strangely, you dont see people as equally outraged about this as they are about gay sex. According to the 1986 Salmon Act, Section 32, if he handles a salmon in a suspicious manner, he will be subject to prosecution and a fine of up to 800. And, yes, two men were fined for having woefully floppy pickles. Final verdict: This is one of those weird laws that has no clear explanation. No "Bat Signals" (or any other beacon) allowed in the sky. Just like the weird laws regarding the sale and serving of alcohol, every state has its own peculiar laws about how you need to behave once you've drunk it. Consider this law a sign. Before you worry about the people, remember that they signed up for the match while the bears did not. In Victoria, Australia, it is illegal to change a light bulb unless youre a licensed electrician. From legends of elves to a decades-long ban on beer, the Christmas Book Flood to state-owned milk stores, there are loads of quirks and weird facts about Iceland's history. 4. Final verdict:It's true. This crazy law in Georgia was passed in jest, but it's still on the books. However, according to the North Carolina State Legislature, non-profit groups can go wild. In 1839, lawmakers made it illegal to beat any carpet, rug, or mat on the streets of London; the law technically endures, though beating doormats is fine, as . Few peculiarities are associated with this urban area, such as the fact that almost for a third of the year round, there isnt any sun around, because of the geographical position of the islands. 55. However, in 1966, Victoria, Australia, proved 20 th -century people could be just as miserable as their ancestors by passing anti-kite legislation. According to the Oregon State Legislature, you can't throw it from the vehicle either. Sites likedumblaws.com which rarely link to states' current statutes or may misinterpret them only perpetuate the myths. The worlds northernmost capital is Nuuk, and it belongs to Greenland, while the worlds northernmost town that has more than a thousand permanent residents is Longyearbyen and it belongs to Norway. For some reason, she elected not to appear in court in person. In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to tie a dollar bill to a string on the ground and pull it away when someone tries to pick it up. Supposedly, its a threat to public safety. 36. ), On the whole, it seems that the German government would like parents to use properly spelled, good old-fashioned names. One lighter margarine law, however, stuck around: Restaurants were forbidden to substitute margarine for butter unless a customer requested it for fear of triggering allergic reactions.