Weird and Crazy Laws (Part 1)

There are many weird and crazy laws out there in the world. Some are old and not maintained any longer but some are still in effect and could bite you if you were to break them in their respective countries.

After vandals used chewing gum to mess with the Mass Rapid Transit system and the Housing and Development Board spent $150,000 a year to clean gum litter, Singapore banned all gum substances in 1992. Anyone importing, selling, or making gum in Singapore can get fined and/or jail time, with the exception of nicotine and dental gums offering therapeutic value.

Notorious for having dynamic speed limits that give drivers a chance to travel more than 100 miles per hour, car enthusiasts and speed demons love trips along the German Autobahn. But, if you run out of gas, you could face a big fine. And don’t even think of walking to a gas station; you’ll get another fine for that!

With thousands of pigeons descending upon Saint Mark’s Square and Venice, lured by the tourists readily handing out food in exchange for Instagram-worthy photos, Venice lawmakers officially made it illegal to feed the pesky fowl in 2008. It is said the cleanup from the birds costs each citizen €275 per year, so now, the tables are turned. If you’re caught feeding the pigeons, you could face fines of up to €700.

In Japan, splashing over pedestrians with your car while running through roadside puddles is illegal and results in a fine. They believe the drivers should be courteous to the walkers.

In England, it is illegal for boys under 10 years of age to view naked mannequins. And this rule does raise some questions as to who would be held liable if it should happen – the boy himself, the shop owner, or the boy’s parents? And it’s ok for girls under 10?

When people first began sighting Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, in the 1800s, British Columbia made it illegal to kill it. You could be fined up to $250,000. There is a similar law in the books for Washington State. A 1984 ordinance states that killing this “endangered” ape-like creature can get you a year in jail, a fine, or both.

If your fake mustache makes people laugh, save it for anywhere but church, as it is illegal in Alabama. The point of this silly law is that you are not to interrupt the service. So, you can wear a fake mustache as long as it doesn’t make people laugh. Good luck.

The city of Berkeley, CA prohibits anyone from whistling for their lost canary before the wee hours of 7 am. I guess if you need to locate the bird before 7 am you’ll just have to go around calling “here boy!”.

Expect to pay a hefty fine if you get caught doing so anywhere in the province of Ontario. This goes for Ottawa, Toronto, and even in the middle of the forest — unless you have a permit. In 2013, one young tree-climbing enthusiast earned himself a $365 ticket for climbing one in Bellevue Square Park.

Whether it is through tarot cards, palm reading, or any other method, fortune telling is banned across the state of Maryland. If caught, you could receive a fine of up to $500 and even up to a year in jail.

Throwing bricks — or any other “dangerous instruments or toys,” for that matter — onto a highway, street, or any public ground is prohibited in Iowa unless you have written permission from the City Council. Wonder if there is a line for brick-throwing permits?

If you live in Kansas, make sure your gears are greased and your tires are checked — as tire screeching is considered unlawful. Not enough tread and a slick road could get you in big trouble.

In Baltimore, it’s technically considered a park rule violation to be in a public park with a sleeveless shirt (yes, even if you’re out for a run)! Hopefully Larry the Cable Guy won’t get the urge to visit a Maryland park!

As a response to a hidden camera crisis in subways, the South Korean government banned the silencing of phone cameras when taking pictures. This means that if you buy a phone in the country, you will be unable to turn off the shutter sound. This applies to Japan also.