43. Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice-capped. This law was enacted to prevent people from being forced to foot the bill for food they didnt order. In seven U.S. states, according to their constitutions, atheists are barred from holding public office. But North Dakota obviously decided it needed a more state-focused group for celebrating chickpeas, lentils, and lupins. You might find you're guilty of one or two violations. Final verdict:This one is just plain common sense, but in Wyoming, enough people went skiing after a few too many drinks that preventative measures were taken. Other strange driving laws in America include: You can't wash your neighbour's car without permission in Los Angeles. On a great big beach. One of the most popular and widely believed bizarre "laws" in the country, is that it is illegal to smoke any form of tobacco on Grafton Street. Worst part about this law is there is no way of punishing the criminals who commit it. Final verdict: At first read, this weird law seems like it should come with a hilarious reason. Final verdict: Heres yet another weird law that we wish was a joke. 4. Below are a few samples of strange laws from South America: "In Bolivia, it is illegal for women to have more than one glass of wine in a bar or restaurant." "It is illegal to have sex with an idiot in . 56. We're not sure why this law was ever necessary. He said, If the police are fair dinkum about protecting people in pubs and clubs, why dont they target the real issues instead?. 11. 30. When Hawaii joined the United States in 1900, it still had its own coinage. Or parties on campus? 8. According to Wyoming State Legislature, violations are felony offenses punishable by up to five years in prison. Standing up and sleeping is fine. Final verdict: The point of this weird law was to help bolster state art agencies. Final verdict: Idiotic college students are to blame for this one. Horse-tripping became a popular event, so much so that Oklahoma had to outlaw the practice, along with 12 other states. If youre just being a jerk, itll cost you $500. People used to set up bear-wrestling rings. In Milan, the only events you are not required to smile is when you're in a hospital and in the funeral. To be updated with all the latest news, facts and knowledge. 40 Weird Laws in the U.S By Brittany Alexandra Sulc, updated on July 15, 2021 Candice Lane / Facebook At Far & Wide, we try to be law-abiding citizens. According to Alaska State Legislature, the statute says an intoxicated person may not "knowingly" enter or camp out where alcohol is sold. The urban legend became so popular that people were delving into the wilderness in search of the mythical creature. State laws: 1. Only in America would a donut chain require a new law like this to be written. That's why you need to know about some of the weirdest laws that you might break completely by accident. Final verdict: And it's illegal to honk in front of any sandwich shop, not just a Subway chain restaurant. Why not outlaw idiotic drivers, while youre at it, New Mexico? The worlds northernmost capital is Nuuk, and it belongs to Greenland, Whittier, Alaska a town where almost all its citizens live under one roof. According to one South Dakota law, liquor stores cannot sell candy containing more than .5% alcohol by weight. So, in 2008, Japan banned its citizens from being fat. A Florida state legislator tried torepeal the lawin 2011 but was unsuccessful. Thats just not right. 15 weird US laws you may be surprised to know exist. The law applies also to trout, eels, lampreys, smelt, freshwater fish, and any other fish specified for the purpose.. Why North Carolina is so serious about their bingo games, we havent a clue. But that begs the question, whats the point? In Iowa, it is illegal for a man with a mustache to kiss a woman in public. Apparently, this is a slight to the great French general and emperor. For his part, the Dalai Lama has said that he refuses to reincarnate in Tibet as long as Tibet remains under Chinese control. Among native New Hampshire mammals are the white-tailed deer, muskrat, beaver, porcupine, and snowshoe hare. View the Best Chili in Austin. Section 365 of the Criminal Code provided that " [e]very one who fraudulently pretends to exercise or to use any kind of witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment or conjuration is guilty of an offense punishable on summary conviction." Final verdict: We guess Grandma was right about this one. 44. In Singapore, selling non-medical chewing gum or chewing normal gum is a fine of $1000. Final verdict:Its tough to imagine fortune-tellers being taken so seriously that a law needs to be made about them. Children have impressionable minds. The law is apparently tied to an 80-year-old tradition called the Frog Jumping Jubilee in a mining town and was enacted many years ago to prevent people from eating unsanitary frogs. 13. Longyearbyen was first inhabited by miners. Not So Crazy Eboli is a small town in Italy, and kissing in a moving vehicle is banned here. 10. There's a myth floating around on the Internet that there's a German law which forbids the hanging of laundry on Sundays. 41. 38. The time depends on the region. It's unlikely to ever be enforced, however, unless your whispering is really, really annoying. Final verdict: Why would someone trip a horse? The governor of Phnom Penh has banned the sale, import, and possession of all water pistols in the city. This law clearly makes sense, but the fact that it exists at all raises some questions about basic human decency and Ohio. This country was named in this manner to attract settlers so that these raiders could benefit by warring with approaching settlers ships. Though the subject has been reviewed in the French parliament several times since then, the law has not been repealed and is still strictly enforced. That is enforcement that protects the lives of people unless someone wants to be the meal of a hungry polar bear. They may have made sense when they were written, but today they seem a little questionable, weird or just plain dumb. Like most governments, the Germans were anxious to ensure that children were not bullied at school. The worlds northernmost capital is Nuuk, and it belongs to Greenland, while the worlds northernmost town that has more than a thousand permanent residents is Longyearbyen and it belongs to Norway. You'd better take it as a fun read instead of a history lesson! For some reason, she elected not to appear in court in person. Let's begin with one of the most frequently cited state laws, which reportedly requires that "all apple pie in Wisconsin must be served with a slice of cheese on it.". (Indio or Dusti just wouldnt cut it. Final verdict: This weird law sounds like something made up by a fed-up best friend. To solve the funeral issue the local government of Svalbard reportedly requests any dead bodies to be taken to the mainland of Norway for burial, either by plane or by boat. Top 10 Most Ridiculous Alcohol Laws In USA. Ohioans typically know what laws dictate when they can shoot off fireworks and whether it's illegal to steal . In Virginia, it is illegal for a man to kick a woman out of bed. The law is still upheld today. In Norway, there is a law that protects all female dogs and cats from being spayed. At Far & Wide, we try to be law-abiding citizens. In South Berwick, Maine, the parking lot was perpetually jam-packed. 25. See if it bounces. Lots of wacky laws have been written over the years, and they were all written for a reason. Where this law exists: Skamania County, Washington, Final verdict:Anyone who has been to Washington State, particularly western Washington, knows that they're a little obsessed with Bigfoot. In Virginia, hunting is forbidden on Sundays, unless you're hunting raccoons. In public swimming pools in France, men are only allowed to wear extremely tight-fitting swimming trunks in the swimming pool. So, the government has instituted a policy of allowing only approved names to be entered on German birth certificates. Even though the country doesnt have a large obesity problem, Japan decided to take a proactive approach to the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight. Except strangely, you dont see people as equally outraged about this as they are about gay sex. 61. Having your chickens cross the road in Georgia This isn't a joke: don't let your chicken cross the road in Georgia. The Berlin Wall Good Thing Today Its Street Live, Love, Create, Enjoy Melbourne, a haven for Weird laws in the worlds northernmost town: no funerals allowed, and no cats please! In Thailand it is illegal to step on money. While this law appears to be a direct assault on the First Amendment, it's thought to have been conceived in order to protect the public. Given how cold it is in the specific region, people are not allowed to have a regular burial. Another obligatory rule of the Italians takes part on the list of the dumbest laws around. It was enacted in the 1970s to essentially label horses as vehicles. Local officials decided that bouncy pickles were fresher than those that just flopped onto the ground when dropped, and so the law was born. They dont like that in Australia. Laws against fun are most common in centuries-old legislation. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Whatever you say, Washington. With a few exceptions, being drunk in public is illegal across the country. While these laws are bizarre, they are still enforceable. Hello everybody this is Ethan welcome back to another episode of Unique Facts And Weird Laws. In the past few years Iceland and Norway have also adopted this law. And not just a salmon. Sidewalk Sitting. Ruled by the king, the people of medieval England lived under a feudal system heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic Church.. During the Middle Ages, both laws and the penalties for breaking them were very different from the ones we are familiar with today. 1 Being in a Bar While Drunk. These are the weirdest U.S. laws in cities and states across the country. Any form of the "occult arts" is illegal to practice in Yamhill, including "fortune-telling, astrology, phrenology, palmistry, clairvoyance, mesmerism, spiritualism or any other practice or practices generally recognized to be unsound and unscientific whereby an attempt or pretense is made.". In 2012, police in Anchorage, Alaska, started enforcing the law by sending plainclothes officers into bars to identify excessively drunk people and arrest suspects, according to ABC News. In Hartford, it's illegal to collect "rags, paper, glass, old metal, junk, cinders or other waste matter in the city" without a license, according to Municode. Below are 51 absurdly ridiculous laws to keep in mind next time you travel to Europe. It's illegal to carry away or collect seaweed at night in New Hampshire. In Utah you can marry your cousin, but only if you are both over the age of 65. Married New Yorkers cannot get divorced on grounds of irreconcilable differences unless both marriage partners agree on those grounds. 1. Only about one in every 30,000 deer is born albino. Ain't no poking fun at this one. One lighter margarine law, however, stuck around: Restaurants were forbidden to substitute margarine for butter unless a customer requested it for fear of triggering allergic reactions. You can still dress up for the holiday, theater productions and emergency drills. "Dumb Laws" Across the United States It Is Prohibited To Harass Big Foot (Washington) In the US state of Washington, it is a crime punishable by either a fine or a jail term to harass big foot, Sasquatch, or any other undiscovered species.