Laws are in place to make sure society continues to run smoothly. Sometimes though, laws can get a bit out of hand, weird even.
Here are 42 crazy laws from around the world.
42. How Many?
In Victoria, Australia, only a qualified electrician is allowed to change a light bulb. It’s illegal to change it yourself unless you are a qualified electrician.
41. Smile
In Milan, it is a legal requirement to smile at all the times, except during funerals or hospital visits. If you don’t, you have to pay a fine.
40. Party Poohper
Winnie the Pooh is banned from playgrounds in Tuszyn, in Poland because local authorities say Winnie is inappropriate for little children because Pooh is half naked. The story checks out.
39. Like Pigs
In Coulaines, France, spitting was banned in 2009 to stop the spreading of swine flu. It must have worked, as we’re no longer hearing about swine flu. Thanks, France!
38. No Second Chances
In 2007, the Chinese government passed an absurd law, which stated that it’s illegal for the Tibetan monks to reincarnate without the government’s permission. Who did they expect to enforce this?
37. Not Here
A popular law passed in England prohibits people to die in the House of Parliament. Worst part about this law is there is no way of punishing the criminals who commit it.
36. Not So Crazy
Eboli is a small town in Italy, and kissing in a moving vehicle is banned here. This just makes a lot of sense and has probably saved many lives.
Eboli, Italy.
Sources: 1, 2
35. Sucks
In Melbourne, Australia, vacuuming your house between 10 pm and 7 am during weekdays and 10 pm and 9 am during the weekends is against the law. Who is vacuuming between those hours?
34. Crossover
That’s not the only thing banned in Melbourne; it’s a place where men are banned from dressing up like a woman. Seems exclusionary and outdated, if you ask us.
2015 Pride March in Melbourne.
33. Assleep
In Oklahoma, it is against the law to have a sleeping donkey in your bathtub after 7 pm. How often was this happening that it required to be made into a law?
32. Slob’s Law
Driving a dirty car is against the law in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk. You will have to face fines if you break this law. Safety first!
31. Party Pooper
In Switzerland, flushing the toilet after 10 pm in an apartment building is illegal. The Swiss government considers it noise pollution.
30. Dog Days
It is against the law not to walk your dog at least three times a day in Turin, Italy. Turin must be heaven for dogs.
Turin, Italy.
29. Alien
Visitors of North Korea are not allowed to use North Korean currency and they are not allowed to enter into the city’s department stores.
Pyongyang, North Korea.
Sources: 1, 2
28. Fitspo
In January 2008, Japan passed the “Metabo Law” to curb obesity. The law requires men and women between the ages of 45 and 74 to have their waistlines examined once a year and seek medical treatment if they’re too fat. It did not, however, make obesity a criminal offense, as many viral articles have suggested.
27. Nicky Nicky Poop Doors
In Scotland, if someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your toilet, you must let them enter. It’s best to just not answer the door in Scotland, unless you’re expecting someone.
26. Decency
In Singapore if you move around the house naked, without closing the blinds, you can be arrested. No, being hot doesn’t make this any less illegal.
25. Bear With Me
Bear wrestling is illegal in Alabama, and with good reason, as we’re sure the bears were winning every match. We always knew wrestling was rigged.
24. Put Some Clothes On
In Devon, Texas, it is against the law to make furniture while you are nude. We’re not sure if this extends to Ikea furniture as well. Best to be safe and only make furniture fully clothed in Devon.
23. Trickster
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.
22. Under where?
In Thailand, you can’t leave your house if you are not wearing underwear. How would anyone know?
Levels Club and Lounge in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sources: 1, 2
21. Surprise!
In Samoa, it is illegal to forget your wife’s birthday. This is more helpful than crazy, really.
20. Professional
In Los Angeles, CA it’s illegal for a waiter to tell a customer “I’m really an actor.” Act your way out of this one, criminal!
19. Bluffing
In Texas, it’s illegal to threaten somebody with an UNLOADED gun. Lock and load, folks.
18. Melty
In Kentucky, carrying ice cream cones in your pocket is illegal. Who the heck would do that anyway? We’re so confused.
17. MGM Lion
In Baltimore, Maryland, taking a lion to the cinema is illegal. Why do so many Baltimore residents own lions?
16. Notice
In Texas, if you are going to commit a crime, you legally have to give 24 hours notice to the police. Either orally or in written form. There’s no way this is a successful law.
15. Dental Plan
In Providence, Rhode Island, selling toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday is illegal. Make sure you stock up on your dental products on Saturday when it’s safe, or make multiple trips on Sunday, your choice.
Sources: 1, 2
14. Slap On The Wrist
In Chico, California, the law states that anybody who detonates a nuclear device within the city limits is liable to a fine of $500. Chico must be really cheap to rebuild.
13. Big Game
In British Columbia, it is illegal to kill a Sasquatch or Bigfoot, if one is ever found. You know, just in case one is found, we wouldn’t want it to get killed.
12. Big Fish
You cannot fish while sitting on a giraffe’s neck in Chicago. Luckily, you’ll be hard pressed to find a Giraffe in Chicago.
11. In God We Trust
In seven U.S. states, according to their constitutions, atheists are barred from holding public office. You better believe it!
10. Delete!
Since 1986, US authorities have had the legal right to access any 180-day old email, without a warrant. Yikes.
9. Time Travel
In Saudi Arabia, it is illegal for any woman to drive a car. As of 2015 women were given the right to vote in Saudi Arabia. Progress!
8. Saving Myself
In Dubai, extramarital sex is against the law and could result in jail sentences for over a year.
Sources: 1, 2
7. Don’t Get Me Angry
In the Philippines, you can be charged with the crime of “unjust vexation” for doing just that, vexing someone. And yes, it is as vague and arbitrary as it sounds. Also, what’s justified vexation?
6. Pick It Up
In Thailand, it is illegal to step on money. That’s ok, we’d rather pick it up anyway.
5. Ancient
In Arkansas, there still exists a law that was instated in the 1800s that states a husband is allowed to beat his wife, but only once a month. Clearly a relic of a bygone era.
Alpena, Arkansas, circa 1840.
4. Bzzzzz
In Arizona, having more than two vibrators in your home is illegal. If you own more than two in your house, you can be subject to criminal possession. We won’t tell if you don’t.
3. Top Of The world
In Massachusetts, a strange law makes it illegal for couples to have sex while the woman is on top. Who’s writing these laws?
2. Private
In North Carolina, couples are technically only allowed to sex while in the missionary position and with the curtains pulled. Note that all of these laws banning certain types of consensual intimacy are largely unenforceable.
1. Golden Showers
In Champagne, France, you can’t pee in your neighbor’s mouth. Finally, a law that prevents this!
If you thought those laws were strange, some of these are straight up twisted...
