Strange Laws

Fresh off the Press

France Made Supermarkets Give It Away

In 2016 the French actually outlawed binning edible supermarket food and made shops donate it instead - and I love that for them.Read More

Japan's Belly-Checking Law, Proper Daft

They made waistlines a national chore and everyone's suddenly queued for a tape measure like it's the barber.Read More

Running Out Of Gas On The Autobahn Can Get You Fined

In Germany an empty tank is treated like a traffic misdemeanor, which is funny until your rental car is silently judging you on the hard shoulder.Read More

France Lets You Marry The Dead, Quite Properly

Under French civil law you may marry a deceased partner - so long as the paperwork and a presidential nod prove you were sincere and not simply theatrical.Read More

Singapore Banned Chewing Gum, Proper

They outlawed the sale and import of gum in 1992 after it started wrecking the trains; now only tiny medical gum slips through the cracks.Read More

Venice Told Tourists To Stop Feeding Pigeons

Venice forbids feeding pigeons in St Mark's Square and fines offenders - yes, even you with the stale bread.Read More

Camouflage Is For Soldiers, Not Your Saturday Shop

Several countries, notably in the Caribbean and West Africa, actually outlaw civilians wearing military-pattern camouflage to stop impersonation and public confusion.Read More

No Chainmail In Parliament, Thank You

A medieval rule still lurking in the statute books once made it illegal to wander into Parliament wearing a suit of armour - and honestly, good call.Read More

Iceland Has Proper Name Cops

You can't just call your baby 'Ziggy Stardust' in Iceland unless the grammar squad signs off, and they will judge you.Read More

Don't Stick Ice Cream In Your Back Pocket

Alabama still has a real old law that makes carrying an ice cream cone in your back pocket illegal-reportedly born to stop horse thieves, and yes, it is gloriously absurd.Read More
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