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In Italy, a saying goes, “The world is beautiful because it’s full of variety,” even when that variety is just… plain weird.

Specifically, laws can be downright crazy. They’re meant to be a set of rules we all agree on because they just make sense, but sometimes things clearly get out of control. And we’re not just talking about weird laws in the US — despite them making up the majority of our list. You’ll soon realize that making random things illegal is a worldwide habit. Like, who came up with a law forbidding people to ride a cow while drunk in Scotland? Or who’s that party pooper who made playing dominoes in Sevilla illegal? And these are just the tip of the “funny laws” iceberg you’re gonna uncover today.

We’re about to take a look at some of the weirdest laws from around the world that were actually passed by lawmakers. A lot of them are just plain funny, but others are so strange that we can’t even imagine how they came about. And while some of these laws may have been long forgotten over time, they still stand as a testament to the fact that weirdness is alive and well in the world’s legal system — and that sometimes, it’s not even close to being dead.

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#5

Canadian radio stations must play Canadian artists' music as a certain percentage of the total playtime.

crtc.gc.ca Report

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Jacob Frank
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a bit misleading. Canadian radio stations must play Canadian artists' music as a certain percentage of the total play time. I don't know the current percentage but without this rule, Canadian airwaves would be overrun with US music and those great artists that Powerful Katrinka mentioned probably would never have become known.

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#6

Person walking multiple dogs You must walk your dog 3 times daily in Turin, Italy.

npr.org Report

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#7

It's illegal to handle salmon suspiciously in the U.K.

en.wikipedia.org Report

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#9

baby sleeping in bed It's illegal naming your baby something weird in Denmark.

worldatlas.com Report

#11

Girl sitting on the beach with flip-flops No driving while wearing flip-flops in Spain.

spanishnewstoday.com Report

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Marcelo Origoni
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is not crazy, it's common sense. Flip flop may bend and get under your pedals

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#12

If a child burps during a church service, his or her parents may be arrested in Nebraska.

criminaldefensetucson.com Report

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#14

It’s against the law to have a sleeping donkey in your bathtub after 7 pm in Arizona, USA.

phoenixarizonacriminallawyer.com Report

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JMil
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I only let my donkey use the bathtub during his siesta.

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#15

In Baltimore, Maryland, it’s illegal to bring a lion to the movies.

theactivetimes.com Report

#16

Person taking photo of family dinner on smartphone You can't turn off your phone's camera sound in South Korea.

thegolfnewsnet.com Report

#17

In New Jersey... bullet-proof vests are banned while committing a crime.

law.justia.com Report

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Am a hooman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omigosh. Bc whoevers commiting the crime will for sure listen to the laws…

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#18

One person tickling legs of another person It is against the law to tickle women in Virginia.

montagnalaw.com Report

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#19

No driving with a child on the hood of your car, Oregon.

oregon.gov Report

#22

According to a law in Scotland, you must allow someone into your house if he knocks on your door and needs to use the bathroom.

scottishbusinessnews.net Report

#23

Couple watching Netflix on Tv Sharing your Netflix password is an offense in Tennessee, U.S.A.

wikipedia.org Report

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone from Tennessee want to share their password? Just to see if SWAT invade your house.

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#24

In Ohio... it's illegal to sell dyed chickens.

parmaheights-oh.elaws.us Report

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Staysafewarmdry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Ohio it's against the law to kill a housefly within 160 feet of a church without a license. In Cleveland: It's illegal to catch mice without a hunting license. In Marion: You cannot eat a doughnut and walk backwards on a city street.

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#25

Couple holding hands outside Students may not hold hands while at school in Tennessee.

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#27

Woman adjusting her high heels It's illegal to wear high heels to the Acropolis.

npr.org Report

#30

It's illegal to disrupt a wedding in South Australia.

news.com.au Report

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#32

It is illegal under the terms of the Prohibition and Inspections to cause a nuclear explosion, U.K.

en.wikipedia.org Report

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T5n
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’ll have to remove that from the todo list for when I visit the UK.

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#33

Registering as married at a hotel makes it so in North Carolina.

law.justia.com Report

#34

In Arkansas... you can't honk your horn near a sandwich shop after 9 p.m.

travelawaits.com Report

#35

It's illegal to run out of gas on the German Autobhan.

schumachercargo.com Report

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fs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Running out of gas is not so much the problem here, in fact it's the not allowed act of stopping on the autobahn. Meaning this applies also to EVs w/ empty batteries etc.

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#39

It's illegal to kill Bigfoot in British Columbia, Canada.

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#40

It’s illegal to whistle in Petrolia, Ontario, Canada between 11 PM and 7 AM.

mymcmurray.com Report

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Hey!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's illegal to whistle in Petrolia, Ont., between 11 P and 7 AM, so keep your lips zipped. Apparently, this weird law is part of a anti-noise bylaw that prohibits "yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing" during the wee hours. https://www.slice.ca/35-weird-canadian-laws-you-didnt-know-existed-2/

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#42

In Virginia... you can't go trick-or-treating if you're over 14 years old.

library.municode.com Report

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Your Average Panda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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#44

Elephants are not allowed to be used to plow cotton fields in North Carolina.

wildeles.org Report

#45

In South Dakota... it's illegal to sleep in the cheese factory.

kotatv.com Report

#46

It's illegal to wear a mask in public in Denmark.

dw.com Report

#48

It's illegal for your chicken to cross the road in Georgia.

legintent.com Report

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#51

It's illegal to wear a fake mustache in an Alabama Church.

al.com Report

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#52

It's illegal to pay with too many coins in Canada.

ctvnews.ca Report

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Hey!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone who's ever tried to get rid of some change at the checkout counter had best know the rules, as there are specific limits set as to how much can be paid with coins. For example, a federal government website notes that the limit is $25 if you’re paying with loonies, $5 if you're using nickels. If you're trying to get rid of pennies, the maximum legal amount per purchase is a mere 25 cents. https://www.slice.ca/35-weird-canadian-laws-you-didnt-know-existed-2/

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#53

Carrying a plank of wood down the street in London, U.K.

thesun.co.uk Report

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Nathaniel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ever seen the documentary The Plank, 1967? That shows the trouble carrying a plank can cause.

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#54

It is illegal to be drunk and in charge of cattle in England and Wales.

oxbridgehomelearning.uk Report

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Benita Valdez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need the story behind this. What in the world happened that one faithful day that required this law?

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#55

In Delaware... you can't sell dog hair.

animallaw.info Report

#58

No selfies with Buddha in Sri Lanka.

bbc.com Report

#61

Destroying currency is considered a criminal offense in Turkey.

en.wikipedia.org Report

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#62

It's illegal to cut cactus, in Arizona.

eu.azcentral.com Report

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Benita Valdez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Preservation. Nothing wrong with that. Some cacti take decades to mature and grow

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#63

Legal prostitution and the earnings are taxable, The Netherlands.

cnbc.com Report

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Benita Valdez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well if it's legal then it's taxable income; that's typically how jobs work

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#64

It's illegal to publicly displays affection in the United Arab Emirates.

thenationalnews.com Report

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Hey!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone told us this one when they went to work over there for 6 months. They were told in advance because they were going as a couple.

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#66

It's illegal to sell chewing gum in Singapore.

en.wikipedia.org Report

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#68

It is illegal for a pub to serve alcohol to a person who is visibly intoxicated in Australia.

smh.com.au Report

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Benita Valdez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have that here in New York. If your drunk enough and cause a car accident, the bartender can get in some trouble for proving alcohol to an already intoxicated person.

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#69

No water pistols on New Year's in Cambodia.

khmertimeskh.com Report

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Jynxiecat
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's better to save the water pistols for the summer anyway

#70

It's illegal to build a sandcastle in Spain.

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#71

Married women can only have one glass of wine in Bolivia.

cnbctv18.com Report

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Jessica Ehle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a stupid rule, but the solution to it is to use a giant glass. I mean a HUGE glass.

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#73

It is illegal to sing in a public place while wearing a swimsuit in Florida.

roothlawgroup.com Report

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#74

In Wisconsin... butter substitutes are banned without permission.

eu.jsonline.com Report

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Oleta Bubacz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is no longer enforced, but as a child we drove to the UP of Michigan to obtain margarine. We concealed it under cloth in a picnic basket when we came back, just in case.

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#75

No shirtless driving in Thailand.

businessinsider.in Report

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#76

Belly dancing is only for ladies, Egypt.

en.wikipedia.org Report

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Hey!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had one guy in our belly dancing course; he was preparing for a friend's wedding. He was Lebanese I think.

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#77

Ice cream in your back pocket is a no-no in Georgia.

gradynewsource.uga.edu Report

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#78

In Milan, Italy, it is illegal for citizens to frown in public—unless they’re at a funeral or visiting someone in the hospital.

dailymail.co.uk Report

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#80

In Mexico, it is illegal for bicyclists to lift their feet off the pedals while riding as this might cause them to lose control of the bike.

theculturetrip.com Report

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#81

It is illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon and New Jersey.

edition.cnn.com Report

#82

It's illegal to fly a kite in Victoria, Australia.

seniorsdiscountclub.com.au Report

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Huddo's sister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess I've broken the law a few times then. Never heard of this law....I just checked it out and "It is an offence in Victoria to fly a kite to 'the annoyance of any person' in a public place. Maximum penalty is a $777.30 fine". https://www.slatergordon.com.au/media/14-of-the-most-obscure-australian-laws-youve-never-heard-of....so maybe I haven't actually broken it, if no one wad annoyed.

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#83

It's illegal to climb a tree in Oshawa, Canada.

canadianaffair.com Report

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Hey!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A typical childhood pastime in the rest of Canada has been outlawed in Oshawa, Ont., where it's illegal to climb a tree. According to the local bylaw, "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." So hurry up and climb down before the cops arrive! https://www.slice.ca/35-weird-canadian-laws-you-didnt-know-existed-2/

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#84

You must provide for your elderly parents in China.

learningenglish.voanews.com Report

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Benita Valdez
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they have something like this in Japan too. So if you live in either and hate your parents, move out of the country

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#86

Finnish taxi drivers must pay royalty fees for songs they play in their cars.

news.slashdot.org Report

#87

No selfies with Tiger in New York.

bbc.com Report

#90

In Iowa... you can't throw a glass bottle onto a highway.

legis.iowa.gov Report

#91

You can't kiss on the street in Guanajuato, Mexico.

matadornetwork.com Report

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#92

It's illegal to drive a dirty car in Russia.

carwale.com Report

#94

Don't hang your dirty laundry in public in Trinidad and Tobago.

loopnews.com Report

#95

It's illegal to play Dominoes in public places in Sevilla, Spain.

20minutos.es Report

#96

Wives must have their husband's OK to get false teeth in Vermont.

isba.org Report

#97

Moose viewing while airborne in Alaska is strictly forbidden.

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#98

It is illegal to order or permit any servant to stand on the sill of any window to clean or paint it, U.K.

cambridge-news.co.uk Report

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#99

It is illegal to fire a cannon within 300 yards of a dwelling in London, U.K.

lawcom.gov.uk Report

#100

A person riding an elevator must talk to no one and must fold his hands while looking at the door in New York.

cbsnews.com Report

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Jessica Ehle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That sounds like the best law it the universe. It is so awkward when there are strangers in the elevator and you are just staring at each other. I think I want to move to New York now.

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#102

No testing your physical endurance while driving in Oregon.

oregon.public.law Report

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#103

You must honk when passing a car in New Jersey.

maggianolaw.com Report

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JMil
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, apparently I'm a criminal now. Good things the cops didn't nab me on my recent vacation.

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#104

In Minnesota... dirty tires are banned.

cnbc.com Report

#105

It's illegal to interfere with a homing pigeon. You have to let them be, Australia.

xenlaw.com.au Report

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Vix Spiderthrust
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, totally the opposite. It's illegal to interfere with a homing pigeon. You HAVE to let them be.

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