Editorial Team
As we saunter through the realm of legal jurisdictions, we often encounter rules and regulations that can confound the most enlightened among us. I invite you on a tour of 20 of the world’s most bizarre laws, in all their confounding glory, with the oddities ranging from the quirkiness of daily life to downright eccentricities of regional customs.
1. Wyoming, USA: The art rule
Every building worth over $100,000 must have a piece of art, with 1% of the owner’s income to be spent on artwork.
2. Sarpourenx, France: Please don’t die here
You cannot die within city limits unless you have already purchased a burial plot. This unusual rule tries to address an extremely serious issue of burial space.
3. South Asia: A stinky fruit ban
Due to its distinctively potent smell, durian, a beloved fruit in South Asia, is banned from being eaten in enclosed public spaces like buses, trains, and schools.
4. Alaska, USA: Where the hell am I supposed to drink?!
If you’re drunk in Alaska, don’t go to a bar. And if you get drunk at a bar, you’ll need to leave.
5. Arkansas, USA: Say it right!
The name of the state must “…be pronounced in three (3) syllables, with the final “s” silent, the “a” in each syllable with the Italian sound, and the accent on the first and last syllables. The pronunciation with the accent on the second syllable with the sound of “a” in “man” and the sounding of the terminal “s” is an innovation to be discouraged.”
6. Italy: No sand castles
If you go to the beach in Eraclea (near Venice), please find another way to pass the time.
7. Germany: Here’s what you can name your baby
The Standesamt, or “the book of first names”, provides strict guidelines for naming a child. The name should unequivocally identify the baby’s gender.
8. Florida, USA: You can skydive another day
In Florida, a married woman is not allowed to go skydiving on Sundays.
9. Michigan, USA: No seduction!
No man can “seduce [or] debauch” an unmarried woman. Doing so is a felony, and can land that man in prison for up to 5 years.
10. England, Wales and Scotland: What are you doing with that salmon, sir?
Under the Salmon Act of 1986, no “Handling salmon in suspicious circumstances.” It’s all here.
11. Switzerland: Naked hiking
While naked hiking isn’t illegal throughout the entire country, Swiss courts ruled in 2011 that individual authorities can impose fines for the practice. If you’re wondering how this even came up, it’s because people really like to hike naked in Switzerland.
12. Greece: This is no place for heels
Food, drinks and high heels are banned from archaeological sites because of the damage they’ve caused.
13. Denmark: Show me your face
In 2018, Danish lawmakers banned the wearing of full face coverings in public, though they claimed this ban had nothing to do with religion.
14. Colorado, USA: No catapulting
More specifically, you may not use catapults to launch items at buildings in Aspen.
15. Florida, USA: You can’t sell children
Can’t really disagree with this one. Details here.
16. Thailand: No freeballing
Yep. You can’t leave the house without your undies.
17. Madagascar: Take your hat off, ma’am
Pregnant women are not allowed to wear hats.
18. England: No suits of armor
In 1313, a law was enacted banning suits of armor in parliament buildings.
19. Barbados: No camo
The Barbados Police Service issued a reminder in 2020, stating “The Royal Barbados Police Force is reminding the public, that it is AN OFFEN[S]E in Barbados to wear disruptive patterns better known as camouflage. These patterns need not be green, but can also include colours such as blue, black and grey or any style used by any military or paramilitary organization in the world.”
20. Russia: no lacy underwear
Belarus and Kazakhstan issued the ban, too.
