Be careful when you travel.What may be legal in your country could be illegal in another.I read this article by Rebecca Schwarz called "Weird Justice" and was amazed at the various things which are illegal in different countries around the world. I could not believe that flushing your toilet after 10pm in Switzerland or picking your nose in Israel on the Sabbath are illegal. These are things which we take for granted and do without thinking here.
My point is it is always good to be aware before you are thrown in jail or charged a fine in some countries when you travel.
Read on and see what stacks up as illegal in other countries and be careful when you travel!!
"Remember American Michael Fay, the teenager found guilty of vandalism in Singapore? If you do, then you probably remember his punishment, too: four months in jail, a hefty fine—and six lashes administered with a wooden cane. The 1994 incident sparked international attention, with the U.S. government deploring Fay’s caning, included a strong rebuke from then President Clinton.
Wide coverage from the media followed, with reporters uncovering a host of “bizarre laws” enforced by Singaporean officials, including a ban on chewing gum (prompted by vandals using wads of the stuff to block keyholes and mailboxes). This led to the misapprehension that Fay had been punished for chewing gum, not spray-painting cars.
But Singapore is not the only country with unusual laws on its books. We’ve uncovered strange decrees from all over the globe. Consider yourself warned!
*Australia
A new law has been proposed to keep people at least 100 meters from a dead whale’s carcass. The legislation was introduced after tourists braved a shark feeding-frenzy to get close to a dead whale.
*Cambodia
Don’t even think about ringing in the New Year with water guns. This recent law came about because revellers were filling theirs with sewage.
*Denmark
A ban on wearing masks during protests is in effect, so that police can identify rioters and demonstrators during arrest.
*Israel
It is illegal to pick your nose on the Sabbath. This law was passed by a rabbi to preserve the sanctity of the holy day, but the rule is not enforced by Israeli secular law. However, it is applicable to the worldwide Jewish community.
*Mexico
All men must wear trousers (does that include manpris?). In 1893, upper-class Mexicans wanted to prove to the world that theirs was a modern, pants-wearing nation, so they passed this decree.
*Switzerland
The Swiss have a fetish for silence. That’s why it’s illegal to flush your toilet after 10 pm. Citizens are also forbidden from mowing the lawn on Sundays.
*Thailand
It is illegal to step on the nation’s currency. All bills and coins bear an image of the King of Thailand, and stepping on his face is highly frowned upon.
In Ontario, women can go topless. In 1996, the province’s court of appeal handed down its decision, after a local woman petitioned for the right to doff her top when the temperature soared, just like the guys do.
Do you know a strange law that’s not on the list? Post it!