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From underwear rules in Thailand to France’s kissing ban, these are some of the world's quirkiest laws.
Global Rescue has highlighted several unusual laws around the world that travelers should be aware of in recent articles. For example, many Caribbean nations ban wearing camouflage to prevent confusion with military personnel. Singapore enforces a ban on chewing gum to maintain cleanliness, while swearing in public in the U.A.E. can result in hefty fines or imprisonment.
Medication restrictions vary greatly across countries, with drugs like Ambien and Sudafed prohibited in places such as Nigeria, Singapore, Japan, and Greece. Additionally, cannabis remains illegal in over 100 countries, even as its use becomes increasingly accepted in parts of the U.S.
In this article, we examine more than a dozen peculiar myths and laws from around the world, some of which have serious consequences that might surprise international travelers.
You Can’t Flush After 10 PM – Switzerland: While often repeated, this law is more of a myth. Certain apartments discourage late-night flushing due to noise pollution, but no national law exists. Source: Seven Seas Worldwide
No Frowning – Milan, Italy: The idea that frowning in Milan is illegal, except at funerals or hospitals, is widely regarded as a myth with no legal basis. Source: Myth, no verifiable legal basis
Naming Restrictions – Denmark: In Denmark, parents must choose baby names from a government-approved list unless they obtain special permission. Source: World Nomads
No Feeding Pigeons – Venice, Italy: Feeding pigeons is banned to protect historic monuments from damage caused by droppings. Source: World Nomads
No Reincarnation Without Permission – China: Tibetan monks must get government approval to reincarnate, according to 2007 regulations. Source: Time
Don’t Eat or Drink While Driving – Cyprus: In Cyprus, eating or drinking anything while driving is strictly prohibited to avoid distractions. Source: Cyprus Driving Guide
No Winnie the Pooh T-Shirts – Poland: This myth alleges that Pooh’s lack of pants makes him inappropriate for children, but no legal evidence supports the claim. Source: Myth, no verifiable legal basis
No Playing Dominoes on Sundays – Alabama, USA: An outdated “blue law” in Alabama once prohibited Domino games on Sundays to encourage church attendance. Source: Encyclopedia of Alabama
No Dying in Parliament – United Kingdom: It’s a popular myth that dying in the UK Parliament is illegal, clarified as false by the UK Law Commission. Source: BBC
No Water Guns on New Year’s Eve – Cambodia: Water guns are banned during certain holidays to prevent accidents and public disturbances. Source: Travel Sites
Don’t Leave the House Without Underwear – Thailand: In Thailand, wearing underwear in public is legally required, though enforcement is rare. Source: The Telegraph
No Kissing at Train Stations – France: This quirky rule, enacted in 1910, sought to prevent delays caused by extended goodbyes. Source: The Guardian
No Sandcastles – Spain: Building sandcastles is prohibited on certain beaches to preserve natural beauty and ensure safety. Source: Conde Nast Traveler
No Watermelon Smuggling – Australia: Agricultural quarantine laws in Australia restrict transporting fruits like watermelons across state lines without proper checks. Source: Australian Government
You Can’t Die Without a Burial Plot – France: In some French towns, dying without owning a burial plot is technically illegal due to limited cemetery space. Source: The Guardian
No Goldfish in Glass Bowls – Rome, Italy: Glass bowls are banned in Rome due to concerns about animal cruelty. Source: BBC
No Walking Your Dog Without Poop Bags – France: French law requires dog owners to carry poop bags in public, with fines imposed on violators. Source: World Nomads
No Changing a Light Bulb Without an Electrician – Victoria, Australia: Previously, only licensed electricians could change light bulbs in Victoria, though this law has been relaxed. Source: ABC Australia
Venice, Italy: Sitting in certain areas, feeding pigeons, or swimming in canals can result in fines.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: Public alcohol consumption is largely prohibited.
Acropolis, Greece: High-heeled shoes are banned to protect ancient structures.
Autobahn, Germany: Running out of gas or stopping unnecessarily is illegal.
Trevi Fountain, Rome: Wading or diving is strictly prohibited.
Even myths like the supposed prohibition of flushing toilets late at night in Switzerland or dying in the UK Parliament remind travelers to double-check their facts. Moreover, restrictions on medications, cannabis, and even public behavior, such as swearing in the U.A.E., highlight the importance of preparation. Navigating these peculiarities requires diligence, as even minor infractions can lead to fines, embarrassment, or worse.
A Global Rescue membership can make all the difference when dealing with such complexities. Our expert teams provide essential resources to research and clarify destination-specific regulations before your trip, ensuring you’re informed and compliant. If you find yourself in a tricky situation abroad, Global Rescue offers immediate support, from legal locator assistance, translation services and logistical aid – in addition to field rescue, medical evacuation and medical advisory – so you can travel confidently and focus on enjoying your experience.
Whether it’s understanding local customs or navigating unexpected challenges, a Global Rescue membership equips travelers with the tools to stay informed and protected on their international adventures.
Article Highlights
- Flushing toilets late at night in Switzerland may cause disputes but isn’t officially illegal.
- Denmark’s naming laws ensure children have socially acceptable names.
- France’s kissing ban at train stations aimed to avoid delays.
- Thailand’s underwear mandate keeps public decency intact.
- Sardinian beaches enforce strict laws against souvenir collection to preserve nature.
Global Rescue has highlighted several unusual laws around the world that travelers should be aware of in recent articles. For example, many Caribbean nations ban wearing camouflage to prevent confusion with military personnel. Singapore enforces a ban on chewing gum to maintain cleanliness, while swearing in public in the U.A.E. can result in hefty fines or imprisonment.
Medication restrictions vary greatly across countries, with drugs like Ambien and Sudafed prohibited in places such as Nigeria, Singapore, Japan, and Greece. Additionally, cannabis remains illegal in over 100 countries, even as its use becomes increasingly accepted in parts of the U.S.
In this article, we examine more than a dozen peculiar myths and laws from around the world, some of which have serious consequences that might surprise international travelers.
International Laws That Defy Expectations
You Can’t Flush After 10 PM – Switzerland: While often repeated, this law is more of a myth. Certain apartments discourage late-night flushing due to noise pollution, but no national law exists. Source: Seven Seas Worldwide
No Frowning – Milan, Italy: The idea that frowning in Milan is illegal, except at funerals or hospitals, is widely regarded as a myth with no legal basis. Source: Myth, no verifiable legal basis
Naming Restrictions – Denmark: In Denmark, parents must choose baby names from a government-approved list unless they obtain special permission. Source: World Nomads
No Feeding Pigeons – Venice, Italy: Feeding pigeons is banned to protect historic monuments from damage caused by droppings. Source: World Nomads
No Reincarnation Without Permission – China: Tibetan monks must get government approval to reincarnate, according to 2007 regulations. Source: Time
Don’t Eat or Drink While Driving – Cyprus: In Cyprus, eating or drinking anything while driving is strictly prohibited to avoid distractions. Source: Cyprus Driving Guide
No Winnie the Pooh T-Shirts – Poland: This myth alleges that Pooh’s lack of pants makes him inappropriate for children, but no legal evidence supports the claim. Source: Myth, no verifiable legal basis
No Playing Dominoes on Sundays – Alabama, USA: An outdated “blue law” in Alabama once prohibited Domino games on Sundays to encourage church attendance. Source: Encyclopedia of Alabama
No Dying in Parliament – United Kingdom: It’s a popular myth that dying in the UK Parliament is illegal, clarified as false by the UK Law Commission. Source: BBC
No Water Guns on New Year’s Eve – Cambodia: Water guns are banned during certain holidays to prevent accidents and public disturbances. Source: Travel Sites
Don’t Leave the House Without Underwear – Thailand: In Thailand, wearing underwear in public is legally required, though enforcement is rare. Source: The Telegraph
No Kissing at Train Stations – France: This quirky rule, enacted in 1910, sought to prevent delays caused by extended goodbyes. Source: The Guardian
No Sandcastles – Spain: Building sandcastles is prohibited on certain beaches to preserve natural beauty and ensure safety. Source: Conde Nast Traveler
No Watermelon Smuggling – Australia: Agricultural quarantine laws in Australia restrict transporting fruits like watermelons across state lines without proper checks. Source: Australian Government
You Can’t Die Without a Burial Plot – France: In some French towns, dying without owning a burial plot is technically illegal due to limited cemetery space. Source: The Guardian
No Goldfish in Glass Bowls – Rome, Italy: Glass bowls are banned in Rome due to concerns about animal cruelty. Source: BBC
No Walking Your Dog Without Poop Bags – France: French law requires dog owners to carry poop bags in public, with fines imposed on violators. Source: World Nomads
No Changing a Light Bulb Without an Electrician – Victoria, Australia: Previously, only licensed electricians could change light bulbs in Victoria, though this law has been relaxed. Source: ABC Australia
Bizarre Tourist Restrictions
Sardinia, Italy: Taking sand, shells, or pebbles is illegal, with fines up to €3,000.Venice, Italy: Sitting in certain areas, feeding pigeons, or swimming in canals can result in fines.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: Public alcohol consumption is largely prohibited.
Acropolis, Greece: High-heeled shoes are banned to protect ancient structures.
Autobahn, Germany: Running out of gas or stopping unnecessarily is illegal.
Trevi Fountain, Rome: Wading or diving is strictly prohibited.
The Global Rescue Connection
Traveling abroad often introduces surprises, especially when encountering unique and sometimes bizarre local laws. From Denmark’s strict naming rules and Thailand’s underwear requirements to bans on chewing gum in Singapore and wearing camouflage in the Caribbean, these regulations reflect diverse cultural priorities and historical contexts.Even myths like the supposed prohibition of flushing toilets late at night in Switzerland or dying in the UK Parliament remind travelers to double-check their facts. Moreover, restrictions on medications, cannabis, and even public behavior, such as swearing in the U.A.E., highlight the importance of preparation. Navigating these peculiarities requires diligence, as even minor infractions can lead to fines, embarrassment, or worse.
A Global Rescue membership can make all the difference when dealing with such complexities. Our expert teams provide essential resources to research and clarify destination-specific regulations before your trip, ensuring you’re informed and compliant. If you find yourself in a tricky situation abroad, Global Rescue offers immediate support, from legal locator assistance, translation services and logistical aid – in addition to field rescue, medical evacuation and medical advisory – so you can travel confidently and focus on enjoying your experience.
Whether it’s understanding local customs or navigating unexpected challenges, a Global Rescue membership equips travelers with the tools to stay informed and protected on their international adventures.
