As bizarre as they may seem, the laws that exist in various countries play an important role in society. They can provide guidance to citizens on how to behave, and they can also help to keep order in society by punishing those who break the law. While some of these laws may seem strange, they are still in place for a reason.
Let’s review some of these special laws from both the UK and the rest of the world, that wouldn’t require the assistance of corporate or technology lawyers, so that the next time you go travelling to any of these countries, you can say on the correct side of the law.
UK Laws
1. Don’t play kite in public in the UK
You may not think twice about flying a kite in your local park, but in the UK it’s actually against the law as revealed by a webpage from EM Law.
According to the Metropolitan Police Act of 1839, section 54, it is illegal to “fly a kite or play at any game to the annoyance of passers-by” in public places. So, if you’re feeling the need to fly a kite, make sure you do it in a private space!
2. Don’t hang your clothes in the street in the UK
You might think that airing out your clothes on a clothesline is a perfectly normal thing to do, but in the UK it’s actually against the law. According to the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, section 28, it is illegal to “hang any article of clothing on a line in front of any dwelling house or other premises so that such article shall project over any street.”
3. Don’t watch TV without a licence in the UK
You might not think that this is a big deal, but in the UK it’s actually against the law to watch TV without a licence.
According to the Communications Act 2003, section 363, it is an offence to watch or record programmes on any channel as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online service, without a valid TV licence. The penalty for not having a licence can be up to £1,000.
Other Laws From Across the Globe
There are some amazing and unique laws from across the globe in countries that play host to many tourists annually, and here are some of the best.
4. Don’t chew gum in Singapore
You might want to think twice before popping a piece of gum in your mouth the next time you’re in Singapore. Chewing gum is actually illegal in the country, with a few exceptions for therapeutic, dental, or nicotine gum.
The law was put into place in 1992 in an effort to keep the city clean – and it seems to be working, as I often consider Singapore one of the cleanest cities in the world.
5. Don’t stop on the Autobahn in Germany
The Autobahn is famous for being a stretch of highway with no speed limit, but did you know that it’s also illegal to stop on the Autobahn? That’s right – even if your car runs out of gas, you’re not allowed to stop on the side of the road.
6. Don’t wear high heels on ancient sites in Greece
If you’re planning on visiting any ancient sites in Greece, make sure you leave your high heels at home. It’s actually against the law to wear them, as they can damage the delicate stone floors.
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Don’t forget to flush the toilet in Indonesia
You might think that this is just common courtesy, but in Indonesia, it’s actually against the law to not flush the toilet after use. The law was put into place to help keep the country clean and to prevent the spread of disease.
8. Don’t drive a bike with over two people in Vietnam
You might not think that this is a big deal, but in Vietnam, it’s actually against the law to drive a bike with over two people. The law was put into place to help reduce traffic congestion and to prevent accidents.
10. Don’t sleep on a public bench in Croatia
In Croatia, it’s against the law to sleep on a public bench. So if you’re out and about enjoying all the sights that Croatia has to offer and you start feeling sleepy, make sure to find a hotel or an Airbnb instead of catching some sleep on a park bench. You could end up paying a hefty fine if you’re caught!
Founder Dinis Guarda
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