Every country has its quirks, but some strange laws take things to a whole new level of bizarre. From illegal chewing gum to mandatory pet names, these strange laws prove that lawmakers sometimes create rules that defy all logic. While many strange laws date back centuries, they remain on the books today, creating hilarious and sometimes problematic situations for unsuspecting citizens and tourists.
These strange laws aren’t urban legends—they’re documented, enforceable regulations that can result in fines or even jail time. Whether you’re planning international travel or just love oddball trivia, understanding these strange laws will entertain and educate you about the weird side of global legislation.
Let’s explore the most unbelievable strange laws that exist around the world!
Why Strange Laws Exist and Persist
Before diving into specific strange laws, let’s understand why these bizarre regulations remain in effect. According to legal historians, most strange laws were created to address specific historical problems that no longer exist.
Research from Harvard Law School explains that removing outdated laws requires legislative action that’s often low priority.
Many strange laws stay on the books because repealing them costs time and resources. Others remain because they’ve become tourist attractions or sources of local pride. Some strange laws are simply forgotten until someone accidentally violates them.
The Most Bizarre Strange Laws by Country
ASIA
1. Singapore: Chewing Gum is Illegal
Singapore’s famous gum ban is one of the most well-known strange laws globally. Importing, selling, or chewing gum can result in hefty fines.
Fine Amount: Up to $100,000 SGD
Exception: Therapeutic gum with prescription
Reason: Gum vandalism on subways
Enforcement: Strict
Singapore made our bizarre news compilation multiple times!
2. Japan: No Dancing After Midnight
Until recently modified, Japan had strange laws prohibiting dancing in clubs after midnight without special licenses.
Original Year: 1948
Reason: Prevent prostitution
Current Status: Relaxed in 2015
Cultural Impact: Shaped nightlife for decades
3. Thailand: Stepping on Money is Illegal
Because Thai currency features the King’s image, stepping on money violates strange laws protecting royal dignity.
Penalty: Prison time possible
Cultural Context: Lèse-majesté laws
Tourist Warnings: Widely publicized
Severity: Very serious offense
4. China: Reincarnation Without Permission
Tibet has strange laws requiring government permission for reincarnation, specifically targeting Buddhist monks.
Year Enacted: 2007
Purpose: Political control
International Response: Widely criticized
Enforcement: Unclear
EUROPE
5. United Kingdom: Dying in Parliament is Forbidden
One of the most famous strange laws states you cannot die in the Houses of Parliament.
Reason: Dying there entitles you to a state funeral
Enforcement: Technically impossible
Reality: Medical emergency protocols exist
Tourist Fascination: High
6. France: Pig Names Banned
French strange laws historically prohibited naming pigs “Napoleon.”
Origin: 1800s
Current Status: Rarely enforced
Cultural Significance: Protecting leader’s dignity
Modern Relevance: Mostly symbolic
7. Switzerland: No Flushing After 10 PM
Apartment buildings in Switzerland have strange laws against late-night toilet flushing.
Reason: Noise ordinances
Enforcement: Building-specific
Penalty: Fines or eviction
Reality Check: Depends on landlord
[DoFollow External Link] European noise regulations are analyzed on BBC News.
8. Italy: No Sandcastles
Certain Italian beaches have strange laws banning sandcastle building.
Locations: Eraclea, others
Fines: Up to €250
Reason: Beach congestion
Tourist Reaction: Confusion and disappointment
9. Germany: Running Out of Gas on Autobahn
German strange laws make running out of fuel on highways illegal.
Fine: €70
Logic: Preventable emergency
Additional: Walking on autobahn also illegal
Enforcement: Common
10. Greece: High Heels at Ancient Sites
Greece enforces strange laws prohibiting high heels at archaeological sites.
Reason: Preserve ancient stones
Affected Sites: Acropolis, others
Penalty: Denied entry
Tourist Compliance: Generally good
AMERICAS
11. USA (Alabama): Fake Mustache in Church
Alabama has strange laws against wearing fake mustaches that cause laughter in church.
Year: 1800s
Reason: Unknown
Enforcement: Never
Status: Still on books
[Internal Link] American strange laws deserve their own category on our oddball news page!
12. USA (Alaska): Moose and Alcohol
Alaskan strange laws prohibit giving alcohol to moose.
Reason: Historical incidents
Enforcement: Rare
Reality: Moose don’t need encouragement to be dangerous
Modern Relevance: Wildlife protection
13. USA (Arizona): Donkey Bathtubs
Arizona’s strange laws forbid donkeys from sleeping in bathtubs.
Origin Story: 1920s flood incident
Current Status: Unenforced
Cultural Legacy: Popular trivia
Actual Risk: Minimal
14. USA (Florida): Unmarried Women Parachuting
Florida once had strange laws banning single women from Sunday parachuting.
Status: Repealed
Historical Context: 1960s morality laws
Gender Discrimination: Obvious
Modern Opinion: Absurd
15. Canada: Comic Books and Crime
Canadian strange laws prohibit crime comics depicting illegal acts.
Year Enacted: 1949
Target: Violent comics
Current Enforcement: Minimal
Free Speech Concerns: Ongoing debates
16. Argentina: Legal Dueling
If both parties are registered blood donors, Argentine strange laws permit dueling.
Requirement: Both must donate blood
Enforcement: Never
Origin: Honor culture
Modern Status: Technically legal
17. Bolivia: Married Women and Wine
Bolivian strange laws historically limited wives to one glass of wine in public.
Gender Discrimination: Clear
Enforcement: Not current
Historical Context: Patriarchal norms
Modern Status: Ignored
AFRICA
18. Zimbabwe: Insulting the President
Zimbabwe has strange laws criminalizing presidential insults.
Penalty: Prison time
Free Speech Issues: Significant
International Criticism: Widespread
Enforcement: Active
19. Morocco: Unmarried Couples
Moroccan strange laws prohibit unmarried couples from sharing hotel rooms.
Enforcement: Varies by location
Tourist Impact: Significant
Penalty: Imprisonment possible
Modern Changes: Some relaxation in tourist areas
20. South Africa: Witchcraft and Aviation
South African strange laws address using witchcraft to control aircraft.
Year: Witchcraft Suppression Act
Specificity: Oddly detailed
Enforcement: Unknown
Cultural Context: Colonial-era law
OCEANIA
21. Australia: Taxi and Hay
Australian strange laws in some states prohibit carrying hay in taxis.
Origin: Horse-and-buggy era
Enforcement: Never
Modern Relevance: Zero
Humor Value: High
22. New Zealand: Correction Fluid License
Until recently, New Zealand had strange laws requiring licenses to purchase correction fluid.
Reason: Solvent abuse prevention
Age Restriction: Under 18
Status: Modified
Effectiveness: Debated
MORE UNBELIEVABLE STRANGE LAWS
23. Denmark: Car Checks Before Starting
Danish strange laws require checking under your car for sleeping children before starting the engine.
Practicality: Questionable
Enforcement: None
Origin: Safety concern
Reality: Urban legend status unclear
24. Saudi Arabia: Women Driving
Until 2018, Saudi strange laws prohibited women from driving.
Change Year: 2018
Global Attention: Massive
Cultural Shift: Significant
Enforcement: Previously strict
[DoFollow External Link] Women’s rights organizations documented this on Human Rights Watch.
25. Russia: Lace Underwear
Russian strange laws briefly banned lace underwear under 6% cotton content.
Year: 2014
Reason: Skin health
Duration: Brief
Public Reaction: Mockery
26. Iran: Western Haircuts
Iranian strange laws prohibit “Western” and “decadent” hairstyles.
Enforcement: Morality police
Penalty: Fines, barbershop closures
Controversy: Religious vs. personal freedom
Ongoing: Yes
27. North Korea: Approved Haircuts
North Korean strange laws limit citizens to government-approved hairstyles.
Men’s Options: 10
Women’s Options: 18
Enforcement: Strict
International Awareness: High
28. Turkmenistan: Black Cars Ban
Turkmenistan’s president created strange laws banning black cars.
Reason: President preferred white
Year: 2018
Enforcement: Complete
Absurdity Level: Maximum
29. Belarus: Online Gaming Cafés
Belarusian strange laws banned online gaming cafés entirely.
Reason: Government control
Year: 2006-2009
Reversal: Eventually lifted
Impact: Gaming culture suppressed
30. Vietnam: Driver License for Bicycles
Vietnamese strange laws previously required driver’s licenses for bicycles.
Status: Modified
Enforcement: Inconsistent
Purpose: Traffic management
Practicality: Low