Strange laws
In the UK
1. There’s a lot of stuff that’s illegal – one liners.
It’s illegal in London to have sex on a parked motorcycle.
It’s illegal to beat a carpet in a public park or in any street. However, beating or shaking a doormat is allowed before 8am.
It’s illegal to die in Parliament.
2. Do not impersonate a Chelsea pensioner or else.
It was illegal to impersonate a Chelsea pensioner, the offence was theoretically punishable by death. The Chelsea and Kilmainham Hospitals Act 1826 prohibited fraudulent claims to pensions that belonged to Chelsea Pensioners. It was repealed by the Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2008.
3. Take care around your monarch.
It is said to be illegal to place a stamp upside down on a letter. This myth seems to have come from The Treason Felony Act 1848 which makes it an offence to do any act with the intention of deposing the monarch. I don’t think placing a stamp upside down could be classed as evidence that you are acting with that intention. The Post Office have stated that they don’t really care how the stamp is placed as long as it’s there.
It is illegal to stand within 100 yards of the reigning monarch without wearing socks.
4. Beware on the street.
It’s illegal to carry a plank along a pavement.
It is illegal to fly a kite on the pavement.
It’s illegal to slide on ice or snow on the street.
It is illegal to erect a washing line across a street.
Worldwide
Laws around your environment
In Portugal it is illegal to pee in the ocean.
In Canada, a country covered with 60% of trees, it is illegal to climb a tree.
Driving
In China it is illegal to stop a car to let pedestrians cross the road.
In Cyprus it’s illegal to drink water whilst driving.
In Japan, it’s illegal to drive through a puddle and splash a pedestrian.
In Spain, it’s illegal to drive without a spare set of spectacles in the car.
In Switzerland you cannot wash a vehicle on a Sunday.
In Alabama, USA it’s illegal to drive with a blindfold on.
In Massachusetts, it’s illegal to drive with a gorilla in the backseat.
In Missouri, USA it’s illegal to dive with an uncaged bear.
In New Jersey, USA, It’s illegal to pass another car without sounding your horn.
In Oklahoma, USA it’s illegal to read a comic book while driving.
In Russia it’s illegal to drive a dirty vehicle.
In Germany, on the autobahn, it’s illegal whilst driving to, eat and run out of fuel.
Personal Behaviour
In Milan, Italy, you are legally required to smile. Funerals and hospital visits are exempt.
In Thailand, it’s illegal to leave the house without wearing underwear.
The penalty for masturbation in Indonesia is decapitation.
On the island of Guam, it is expressly forbidden for virgins to marry.
In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, it is illegal for a man to have sex with a woman and her daughter at the same time.
In Cali, Colombia, a woman may only have sex with her husband, and the first time it happens, her mother must be in the room to witness the act.
In Hong Kong, a betrayed wife can legally kill her husband by using her hands alone. The husband’s illicit lover, on the other hand, may be killed in any manner desired.
General and Miscellaneous
In Bahrain, a male doctor may legally examine a woman’s genitals, but is prohibited from looking directly at them. He may only see the reflection in a mirror.
Muslims are banned from looking at the genitals of a corpse. This also applies to undertakers. The sex organs of the deceased must be covered at all times.
