Odd Things That Are Prohibited In Different Places Of The World

#1

It’s important to get to know the laws and forbidden practices in a country before visiting. In some cases, being aware of a country’s extreme laws around something can save you a ton of trouble.

Did you know, for example, that spitting, chewing gum and smoking in public can get you fined in Singapore? In this case, there are a number of complicated and interesting reasons for why these laws exist.

Some other absurdly extreme laws and banned practices are old and antiquated. They exist because they were made hundreds of years ago but no one bothered to abolish them. On top of that, they’re so weird and specific to a period in time that most authorities either don’t know about them or just don’t care for reinforcing them.

#2

Italy is often considered one of the most romantic countries in the world but be careful when kissing your lover here. In Eboli, a town in Southern Italy, kissing in a moving vehicle is banned. Breaking this law can cost you several hundreds dollars.

#3 Naming your baby something weird in Denmark

Celebs in Denmark would be screwed, since the country has official child naming guidelines. If you want to name your baby something other than the 7,000 approved names, you need to get approval from the government. Sorry North, Apple, Blue Ivy.

#4 Recklessly biking in Mexico

Bikers may not lift feet from pedals, as it might result in a loss of control. This practical law was created in 1892 as a way to protect riders. However, no hands is still fair game.

#5 Hiking naked in Switzerland

The Swiss kindly ask you not to hike in the nude. In fact, Swiss canton Appenzell was the first to ban the indecent act after a naked German man walked past a family picnicking in the Alps in 2009.

#6 Whistling in Canada

The city of Petrolia in Ontario has a law that limits excessive noise. The rule states that no yelling, shouting, whistling or singing is allowed at any time.

#7 Having your chickens cross the road in Georgia

If you own any chickens in Quitman, Georgia, it's illegal to let them cross the road. Simply put, the law essentially wants owners to have their chickens under control at all times.

#8 Kinder Eggs in the US

Kinder Eggs are banned in the US. The main reason for this is because, according to the Food and Drug Administration, the toys inside the chocolate pose a choking hazard for children.

#9 It’s prohibited to eat biscuits on Christmas Day In The United Kingdom

In 1644, Oliver Cromwell prohibited celebrating Christmas because he considered it immoral. Many attributes of the holiday were officially banned, including sweet buns and biscuits, but only on Christmas Day.

It’s curious that there hasn’t been a decree to abolish Cromwell’s law, so every Englishman technically commits a crime when eating a biscuit on Christmas Day — it’s just that nobody cares.

#10 You can’t touch whales in The United Kingdom

Here’s another strange UK law: all whales, dolphins, and other sea mammals within a 3-mile radius of the UK are considered the property of the Queen, so you’re prohibited from touching them. Please try not to.

#11

Even today, there are 7 US states where atheists are forbidden from holding public office positions. This law is in place according to what their constitutions say.

#12 Naming a pig Napoleon in France

It’s illegal to name a pig Napoleon in France. Apparently, regardless of how the population feels about the great general, the consensus is that everyone should respect his memory.

#13 postage stamp in England

There’s an old British law that’s worth knowing. It’s considered an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing a monarch’s face upside down. So, be careful with how you send your mail in England!

#14 It’s illegal to kiss at train stations in France

This law is effective both in France and some stations in the UK: lovers are prohibited from kissing at railway stations.

It first appeared in France in 1910, when trains were often delayed by couples who didn’t want to part. As a result, the authorities banned kissing at platforms but still made special "kissing zones" where lovers may take a moment of tenderness.

#15 It’s against the law to feed the pigeons in Italy

While it’s perfectly fine to feed a pigeon with a piece of bread, in Venice it’s an illegal act punishable by a fine. This law was enacted to prevent the birds from soiling the beautiful statues and architectural monuments.

#16

If you want to visit Milan, make sure to smile all the time. The Italian metropolis has imposed a ban on frowning. The city states that it is a legal requirement to smile at all times, except during funerals or hospital visits. Grouches who dare to break this regulation can face a fine.

#17

In Lyme Regis, a little coastal town in West Dorset, England, slapping people with a dead eel is prohibited. There was a tradition known as “the conger-cuddling”, in which people swang dead eels at each other but in 2006, the game was banned by local authorities after an animal rights group claimed it was disrespectful to the dead fish.

#18 Chewing gum in Singapore

When heading to Singapore, leave the Juicy Fruit at home and pop a breath mint instead. Among the lengthy list of items that aren't allowed to be imported into Singapore is chewing gum, a rule enforced in order to keep public spaces clean. An exception is made for dental or nicotine gum.

#19

Capri, an island located in the Campania region, Italy, is a popular tourist destination. However, if you decide to visit avoid wearing flip flops. Flip flops and sandals that make loud noises are banned.

#20

In Tuszyn, a little town in Central Poland, Winnie the Pooh is banned from playgrounds. Local authorities argued that Pooh is “half-naked” and of “dubious sexuality”, which is totally inappropriate for little children.

#21 Turkmenistan: Lip-Synching

Well, at least at large cultural events and on television programming. In 2005, then-President Saparmurat Niyazov banned lip-synching in order to preserve "true culture." He had also banned opera and ballet, deeming them "unnecessary."

#22 China: Reincarnation Without Government Permission

A 2007 law in China on the "Management Measures for the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism" made it illegal for Buddhist monks to reincarnate without prior government approval. Or, at least, for religious groups to recognize a Buddha's new "soul child" following the passing of the previous Buddha without first getting government permission.

#23 Romania: Scrabble

In the '80s, Romanian leader Nicolae Ceausescu banned the game of Scrabble because it was "subversive" and "evil." Luckily, the ban is no longer, and the country now has a Scrabble Federation and hosts tournaments for players.

#24 Iran: Ponytails on Men

The Iranian government issued a list of appropriate male hairstyles in 2010, which prohibited ponytails, mullets, and hair that was too spiky.

#25 Australia: Pornography Featuring Women With "Small" Breasts

Apparently, some Australian politicians thought that pornography featuring women with breasts considered "small" would encourage pedophilia. The Australian Classification Board started refusing classification of these materials as a way of discouraging them.

#26 Denmark: Ovaltine and Marmite

These are two of the most popular products disallowed by a Danish law that requires government approval for any foods fortified with vitamins or minerals. The law took effect in 2004, causing problems for large manufacturers like Kellogg's as well as small shop owners who could not afford the cost of getting the government's seal of approval for their products. The Danes believe that a balanced diet supplies all the vitamins and minerals one could need, and that too much of these things can cause harm.

#27 India: Alcohol Advertisements

The late 1990s saw the Indian government ban advertisements for alcoholic beverages. Many companies have tried to get around the ban by promoting surrogate products using the brand name of their alcohol, although even some of those ads have come under fire from the government in the past.

#28 France: Red Bull

Not anymore, thankfully. But until 2008, the energy drink was banned in the country because of concerns over the chemical taurine used in the drink's recipe. The company had been selling a slightly altered version of the drink without taurine previously.

#29 You can’t pay only with change in Canada

In Canada, you can’t just crack your old coin bank and buy something with its contents. A law that came into effect in 1985 prohibits paying with coins only if the price of the purchase is over 10 Canadian dollars.

#30 It’s illegal to forget about your wife’s birthday in Samoa

Samoa is an independent state in the Pacific Isles that’s famous for its unusual laws. One of them states a husband shall not forget about his wife’s birthday. If that still happens, the court will make the man pay a fine that goes straight into his wife’s hands.

#31 You shall not step on money In Thailand

And finally, a law that all travelers to Thailand should know. Watch your step while in this exotic country because it’s illegal to step on either coins or bills with portraits of venerable Thai citizens engraved on them.

#32 North Korea: Blue Jeans

Not black jeans. Just blue jeans. Apparently the color is associated with the United States, so North Korea banned them.