100 Weird Laws From Around the World
People do strange things, therefore weird laws are written to help straighten them out. Some of these bizarre laws almost seem like urban myths or too ridiculous to be real, yet odd as they are, they were created for a reason. Some of these laws date back several hundred years and were never changed or eliminated and make very little sense in today’s world, but nonetheless these weird laws found all around world do exist.
1. In Oklahoma, you can be arrested for making ugly faces at a dog.
2. In Salt Lake County, Utah, it’s illegal to walk down the street carrying a violin in a paper bag.
3. In San Francisco, it’s illegal to pile horse manure more than six feet high on a street corner.
4. In Devon, Texas, it is against the law to make furniture while you are nude.
5. In Bozeman, Montana, a law prohibits all sexual activity from the front yard of a home after sundown.
6. In California it is illegal for a vehicle without a driver to exceed 60 miles per hour. (that would be one clever trick)
7. In Florida men seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown can be fined.
8. In South Carolina it is legal to beat your wife on the court house steps on Sundays.
9. In Tennessee, you are breaking the law if you drive while sleeping. (perhaps they could benefit from one of these strange gadgets)
10. In New York, the penalty for jumping off a building is: Death.
11. In Danville, Pennsylvania, all fire hydrants must be checked one hour before all fires.
12. In Connersville, Wisconsin, during sexual intercourse, it is against the law for a man to fire his gun whilst the woman in having an orgasm.
13. 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.
14. In New York City, it’s illegal for a restaurant to call a sandwich a “corned beef sandwich” if it’s made with white bread and mayonnaise.
15. In San Francisco, California it is unlawful to use used underwear to wipe off cars in a car wash.
16. In France, it is against the law to sell an “E.T” doll. They have a law forbidding the sale of dolls that do not have human faces.
17. In Louisiana, biting someone with your natural teeth is considered “simple assault,” but biting someone with your dentures is “aggravated assault.”
17. In Louisiana, biting someone with your natural teeth is considered “simple assault,” but biting someone with your dentures is “aggravated assault.”
18. In the state of Washington, it is illegal to have sex with a virgin under any circumstances. (Including the wedding night.)
19. In Switzerland, it is illegal for a man to relieve himself while standing up after 10pm.
20. In Florida, it is illegal to fart in a public place after 6 P.M. on Thursdays.
21. In Massachusetts, it is illegal to go to bed without first having a bath. (However, another law prohibits bathing on Sunday)
22. In Jidda, Saudi Arabia, women were banned from using hotel swimming pools in 1979.
23. In Samoa, it’s a crime to forget your own wife’s birthday.
24. In Alabama, prison guards are forbidden from referring to their spouses as “the old ball-n-chain.”
25. In London, England it is illegal for a City cab to carry rabid dogs or corpses.
26. In England, it is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.
27. In England, it is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the Queen upside down.
28. In Los Angeles, CA it’s illegal for a waiter to tell a customer “I’m really an actor.”
29. In Indiana, it’s against the law to dress ‘Barbie’ in ‘Ken’s’ clothes.
30. In Sedona, Ariz., it’s illegal to lie about your astrological sign.
30. In Sedona, Ariz., it’s illegal to lie about your astrological sign.
31. In Texas, it’s illegal to threaten somebody with an UNLOADED gun.
32. In Australia, it’s illegal to name any animal you plan to eat.
33. In Cannes, France, it’s illegal to wear a Jerry Lewis mask.
34. In New Jersey, answering a traffic cop who asks “Do you know why I pulled you over?” by saying,“If you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you” is an automatic $300 fine.
35. In York, it is legal to kill a Scotsman within the ancient city boundary, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.
36. In London, it is illegal to flag down a taxi if you have the plague.
37. In Kentucky, it’s illegal to paint your lawn red.
38. In Portugal, it’s against the law to pee in the ocean.
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39. In South Carolina unmarried women are not allowed to buy edible panties.
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39. In South Carolina unmarried women are not allowed to buy edible panties.
40. In Italy, anyone considered “obese” is forbidden from wearing polyester.
41. In Montana, it’s illegal to tear a phone book in half.
42. In California, anyone caught selling a “smoothie” that has lumps is breaking the law.
43. In Michigan, it is illegal to chain an alligator to a fire hydrant.
44. In Arkansas, it’s illegal for a woman getting married for the second time to wear a white wedding gown.
45. In Victoria. Australia after mid day on Sunday, it’s illegal to wear pink hot pants.
46. In Connecticut, night watchmen are forbidden from drinking decaf coffee while working.
47. In Kentucky, carrying ice cream cones in your pocket is illegal.
48. In International Falls, Minnesota, you can be fined if you let your dog chase a cat up a telegraph pole.
49. In Iowa, after 5 minutes of kissing you’re breaking the law.
50. In Illinois, giving a lighted cigar to a pet is illegal.
51. In the USA- 24 states say that if your husband is impotent its grounds for a divorce. (Go Viagra!)
51. In the USA- 24 states say that if your husband is impotent its grounds for a divorce. (Go Viagra!)
52. In Miami, Florida, imitating animals is illegal.
53. In Oxford, Ohio, a woman undressing in front of a picture of a man is breaking the law.
54. In Baltimore, Maryland, taking a lion to the cinema is illegal.
55. In Washington, pretending to have wealthy parents is illegal.
56. In Texas, if you are going to commit a crime, you legally have to give 24 hours notice to the police.
57. In South Dakota, It is illegal to lie down and fall asleep in a cheese factory.
58. In Maryland, Randy Newman’s song ‘Short people’ is still banned on the radio.
59. In St. Louis, Missouri, if a woman is in her night clothes, it is illegal for a fireman to rescue her.
60. In Victoria, Australia, you need a licensed electrician to change a light bulb.
61. In France, it’s illegal to name a pig Napoleon.
62. In Indonesia, the punishment for masturbation is death by decapitation.
62. In Indonesia, the punishment for masturbation is death by decapitation.
63. In San Salvador, drunk drivers can be sentenced to death by firing squad.
64. In Bahrain, male doctors only legally examine a woman’s genitals through a mirror.
65. In Providence, Rhode Island, selling tooth paste and a tooth brush to the same customer on a Sunday is illegal.
66. In Alexandria, Minneapolis, it is illegal for a man to have sexual intercourse with a woman with sardines on his breath.
67. In Singapore chewing gum is illegal.
68. In Arizona, hunting camels is against the law.
69. In North Carolina, it is illegal to swear in front of dead people.
70. In Florida having sexual intercourse with a porcupine is illegal. (ouch… wtf)
71. In Burma it is against the law to access the Internet. Anyone doing so faces prison.
71. In Burma it is against the law to access the Internet. Anyone doing so faces prison.
72. In Iowa, it is illegal for horses to eat fire hydrant.
73. In Vermont, a woman must get written permission from her husband to wear false teeth.
75. In Los Angeles, it is illegal to bathe two babies in the same tub at the same time.
76. In Oklahoma, it is against the law to have a sleeping donkey in your bathtub after 7 PM.
77. In Israel, you could be prosecuted for picking your nose on Sunday.
78. In Sweden it is illegal to use the services of a prostitute. Prostitution is legal though.
79. In Thailand, it is illegal to leave your house without your underwear on.
80. In California, it is illegal to keep a child from playing in puddles of water.
81. In Oklahoma, it is illegal to molest an automobile.
82. In Germany, it is illegal to stop on an autobahn (expressway). It is also illegal to run out of gas on an autobahn.
82. In Germany, it is illegal to stop on an autobahn (expressway). It is also illegal to run out of gas on an autobahn.
83. In Turkey, it is illegal for a man above 80 yrs to become a pilot.
84. In Chicago, it is illegal for anyone to eat in a place that is on fire.
85. In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.
86. In Eureka, Nevada, it is illegal for men with mustaches to kiss women.
87. In Ohio, it is against state law to get a fish drunk.
88. In Miami, Florida, it is illegal to skateboard in a police station.
89. In Florida, unmarried women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed.
90. In Texas, it is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.
91. In Boulder, Colorado, it is illegal to kill a bird within the city limit.
92. In Alabama, it is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving a vehicle.
93. In Ames, Iowa, it is illegal for men to have three sips of beer while they are in bed with their wives.
93. In Ames, Iowa, it is illegal for men to have three sips of beer while they are in bed with their wives.
94. In Chico, California, the law states that anybody who detonates a nuclear device within the city limits is liable to a fine of $500.
95. In Tremonton, Utah, it is illegal for a woman to have sex with a man while riding in an ambulance.
96. In British Columbia, it is illegal to kill a Sasquatch or Bigfoot if one is ever found.
97. In Lebanon, If a man is caught having sex with a male animal then the penalty is death- sex with a female animal is ok (o_O)
98. In Minnesota, it is against the law to hang male and female underwear together on the same washing line.
99. In Texas, It is illegal to sell one’s own eye.
100. In Kentucky, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon more than six-feet long.
If you know of any other weird
All around the world, our actions and behaviors are taken in different contexts. What is considered offensive in one country may not be in another. Something as simple as chewing gum, littering, or other offenses can result in a variety of punishments. These punishments can include caning, fines, physical labor, jail time, or even death. How you are treated can depend upon the country you are in and the crime you committed. What can seem stupid or meaningless to you can be of vast importance in another country. Some cultures are harder on certain citizens just for their place of origin. Others may treat men in one way, while women are treated in a different manner. A variety of factors can be used to determine your punishment. However some cultures can have standard punishments no matter how severe the crime.
Over the years many countries such as Canada, India, or many others have considered suicide a criminal act. However most of these countries have decriminalized this act. North Korea still considers suicide a criminal act. According to the North Korea government, punishment is dependent upon the individual, their status, as well as the crime committed. Although suicide is not illegal in many countries, assisting people in committing suicide is.
The right for women to wear pants has been in legislation in a multitude of countries. During February 2013, France removed a 200 year old ban. This ban denied women the right to wear pants. Over the years before dissolution of the legislation for banning women from wearing pants, it had minor amendments made to the existing law. The first amendment allowed women to wear pants while riding horses. The second change was to allow women the right to wear pants while riding a bicycle.
China is known for their vast population. The country has over 1 billion people living there. To help reduce the population in China, the government created a one child policy. Couples who choose to have more than one child are punished with heavy taxes. Although this can be seen as a method for overpopulation control, it has created many issues as well. Some areas will even avoid ultrasounds to prevent the couple from finding out the baby's gender. This is due to the likelihood of couples choosing to have abortions if it is female. Choosing to abort a child due to being female is known as female infanticide.
Sexual preference is not only debated in the United States, and it is a worldwide controversial issue. Although the United States has come a long way in gay, lesbian, and bisexual preferences, the rights of these individuals are still discriminated against every day. In some countries, homosexuality is even punishable by death. These can include entire countries such as Yemen, Saudi Arabia, or Iran. Other times it can only be specific regions of a country such as Nigeria or Malaysia. Countries around the world are both adding and removing this as a crime.
There are regulations and laws all over the U.S. and throughout the world that protect animals from harm. Laws that prohibit the intentional harm of pets and other animals are well known, as are other laws that make the owner financially and personally responsible if the animal should harm people or property. There are lesser-known laws that prohibit actions with pets that go far beyond your typical leash laws. An Illinois law prohibits people from forcing their dog or cat to smoke. This law includes both putting lit cigars and cigarettes in your pet's mouth. The smoking implement must be lit in order for the law to be broken. In other parts of the world, laws are in place to protect animals from being sexually molested or penetrated, but in others, the laws are gender specific.
Dolls are beloved all around the world by both children and collectors. There are dolls of all shapes and sizes, and different countries all over the world have their own traditions when it comes to creating them. Each year, millions of dollars are spent on dolls and doll clothing, but even the most obsessive collector might not know that there are laws in place in different parts of the world about how they are made and dressed. Yes there are laws about the manner in which you dress your doll! Some of these laws stem from superstition and others from moral codes, and some are ignored while others are still enforced. France, which is a country that is known for creating some of the most lovely porcelain dolls in the world, has a strict law involving the creation and sale of dolls. All over the country, it is illegal to sell dolls that do not have human faces. This means that if dolls have human bodies, their faces must also be easily recognized as humans. As a result, you will never see a doll in France that looks like an alien or other kind of non-human creature. No matter the shop, any dolls that are sold must have faces that are human.
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners. There is a long-standing belief that polygamy in Utah is legal. It is in fact a crime, even though many Mormon churches and groups are still very much for it. The federal government has been trying to crack down on multiple marriages within this sect. This is has proven to be difficult, especially when there are so many blockades in place with our nation’s belief of the separation of church and state. What makes this situation bizarre is that there also laws in Utah that are in place that prohibit men and women from living together if they aren't married. There are other groups in the state that are trying to get this law struck down, as many young couples who are not married find it confining and much too strict. Even though this law is in place, there are many churches in the area that still condone polygamy, even though it is illegal throughout the U.S.
Illegal music and video downloads are available all over the Internet, and many people make a living under the radar by selling them. However, although most people see this as a scofflaw because "everybody does it," you can face severely heavy fines if you are caught. Just last year, the well-known file sharing site Megaupload was shut down by the FBI after several people uploaded scores of illegal content and urged others to do the same.
Sodomy is sex acts between a person and an animal. While sodomy laws in the U.S. have been legally overturned in federal courts, there are still several states that still count it as a crime, especially if it is a part of any homosexual act. While this violates many personal and civil laws, states such as Texas and Montana make it illegal only if you're homosexual. It is difficult to believe that these laws are still in place in the 21st century and that little is done to strike them down. Since some states are allowed to make and maintain their own laws, in some cases there is little that can be done. Many civil rights groups in these states are working to make people more aware of these laws and how discriminatory they are.
Identity theft and fraud are becoming more common, especially since it has become easier than ever to access people's personal information online. We are more vulnerable than ever to thieves who want to use other people's information and identities to open new lines of credit or steal the money they already have. Laws about Internet fraud are changing and the punishments are becoming more severe. There are lesser-known laws in the U.S. about lying or misrepresenting one's self. For example, if you live in Washington, presenting yourself as being from a wealthy family or telling people that your parents are rich is illegal. In some parts of the south, a divorced woman is forbidden from wearing white for her second marriage. While the latter might stem from old-fashioned moral codes, the former might prevent favoritism or discrimination when it comes to the highly competitive world of government employment or internship.
While you can be fined heavily for driving over the speed limit on any U.S. road, the laws and rules for an autobahn in Germany are just the opposite. Although speeding laws and fines do exist, there are other ways that drivers can be fined that might seem odd to Americans. For example, if you break down or run out of gas on an American highway, it is legal to stop and pull over until help arrives. On the autobahn, running out of gas is illegal as it is seen as something that is completely avoidable. Stopping is highly discouraged on these speedy roadways, no matter the reason, and in some cases, the driver will be fined anywhere from 400 to 700 Euros.
While many state laws in the U.S. name the spouse or common-law spouse as next of kin and the person responsible for claiming a dead body, there are laws in place in the U.S. that prevent people from claiming a dead body as property. These laws are in place to protect the rights of the dead and the body itself. Furthermore, if a body is stolen or damaged, a surviving family member may collect for emotional trauma and suffering. They may not claim property damage for the despoiled body, as most U.S. courts do not view a dead body as anyone's property.
All over the U.S., homeowner's associations (HOA) are responsible for creating and maintaining some of the most beautiful neighborhoods the country has to offer. These close-knit communities of like-minded people pride themselves on owning community areas, playgrounds, and maintaining their homes in ways that have been laid out according to the association's laws. Some of these laws and rules include everything from restricting people from building pools and fences on their properties to regulating what color they are allowed to paint their homes. While many homeowners see these communities as the perfect place to live, others have learned the hard way about what might happen when the rules are violated.
While some laws and rules are considered archaic and they are not enforced, depending on where you live, others are still in effect, and you can be prosecuted for something that you didn't even know was illegal. Up to a few years ago, Ohio had anti-spitting laws on the books that banned spitting anywhere around the public areas in cities. The legislation dates back to the time of consumption outbreaks. Consumption, or better known today as tuberculosis, was extremely contagious and used to spread from spitting. Some laws, such as the Texas sodomy laws, still target and persecute those who are homosexual. Others fight ancient religious statutes, such as the laws in Utah that fight polygamy, despite the fact that it is still widely practiced by those in the Mormon religion. When it comes to laws that protect copyright and personal identity, those who break these laws believe that the anonymity of the Internet will protect them, but those who have been caught have lost almost everything from having to pay heavy fines.