Page 83 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - Late January 2019

Weird Laws From Around The World 83

Weird Laws From Around payment, though. evidence of road rage or a warning of impending
The French town of Sarpourenx has had some doom, but if you hear a toot or a shout while
the World issues with people just wantonly dying and then you're driving through New Jersey, the driver

expecting to be buried. The mayor issued an may just being doing you a solid — the law says
edict forbidding people from dying within the people have to give "audible warning" when
city limits unless they'd already purchased a passing another car going in the same direction.
By Charlotte Hilton Andersen burial plot in the local cemetery. People who

ignore this and die anyhow will be severely Men visiting Milan should know that if they feel
punished, he added. How one severely punishes like adjusting their junk in public they can be
Bad news for Buddhist monks in China: You're the dead is unclear. fined. It's not just public masturbation that's
not allowed to reincarnate without the illegal (which makes good sense), but any
government's express permission. The city of San Francisco has banned any and all crotch-grabbing done by a gent — even if it's
feeding of pigeons within city limits. Not only is "for luck." Ladies? Go nuts — er, crazy.
Quick, think of a place known for it's devotion it illegal to feed the animals some refer to as "the
to art. Did you think of France? New York? rats of the sky," but San Francisco even created Bicyclists in Mexico better keep their feet firmly
Well, add Wyoming to your list, as the state has an entire webpage highlighting the "dozens" of on the pedals, hands on the handlebars, and eyes
a law mandating that any building over reasons why. (Hint: So. Much. Poop.) forward or risk a fine for riding recklessly. It
$100,000 (which would include most homes) does seem like good sense in a busy city — yet
spend at least one percent on artwork for that Forgetting your wife's birthday is a crime, there's no provision requiring helmets?
building. You're gonna have to do better than according to some genius legislator in Samoa.
IKEA! For bonus points, don't forget to get her a gift as The Muslim nation of the Maldives has a strict

well. ban on anything they deem contrary to the
Carbaholics be warned: You may not own more teachings of Islam, including pornography, pork,
than 50 kg (110 lbs) of potatoes at one time, if Got a goldfish in a bowl? You monster. Keeping alcohol, and bibles or any non-Islamic religious
you live in Western Australia. It has something a fish hostage in a container purely for your own text. If you're a tourist of another faith, you are
to do with limiting imports, and as a result the enjoyment is considered animal cruelty and is allowed one copy of your particular holy book,
Potato Marketing Corporation has the right to banned in Rome. If you're caught holding but are cautioned not to leave it out in the open
stop and search your car for rogue spuds. Bubbles hostage, you can be fined. The Italians — say, on the beach — under penalty of law.
aren't the only ones who feel this way, though —
Thailand is famous from some strange and strict according to the Swiss government's ruling on Most Americans don't know what durian fruit is
blue laws. For instance, if you'd like a glass of animal rights, goldfish are social creatures and but locals in Indonesia, Malaysia, and other
wine or a cocktail, you can only purchase therefore must be kept two or more to a bowl, or Southeast Asian countries know the odoriferous
alcohol during lunch time (11-2 p.m.) or dinner not at all. fruit all too well — which is why many
(after 5 p.m.) — and, yes, that includes in bars countries have laws banning durian from public
and restaurants. Sex toys of all types are banned in Reno, places like buses, trains, and schools. Think
Nevada. This might make some sense if it were, that's harsh for a healthy snack? One food writer
Ever seen a sign offering a reward for the return say, the Vatican. But, come on, it's Nevada — described the smell as "turpentine and onions,
of a stolen item with the line "No questions the only state in the U.S. that legally allows garnished with an old gym sock."
asked"? Probably not if you live in Tasmania, as some prostitution.
it's illegal there. Sure, you can offer a reward for While the rest of the world argues about the
a lost or stolen item. And refusing to ask Going against millenia of human tradition, health consequences of being overweight, Japan
questions in general is also fine. But you can't Portugal has outlawed peeing in the ocean. Yes, decided to just ban it outright. It's now illegal to
offer a reward and refuse to ask questions. I'd it's gross to urinate in a place where people (and be obese. They set a maximum waistline limit of
ask why but I'm not sure if that's allowed? animals) are playing, but is pee really the biggest 85 cm (33.5 in) for men and 90 cm (35 in) for
problem the ocean has? And how does one women.
Bad news for pregnant women, small children, check for this — look for swimmers who look a
and those prone to upset tummies: In little too relaxed? Residents of Huntington, West Virginia, get a
Switzerland you're not allowed to flush the toilet peculiar pass on domestic violence: According
after 10 p.m. as it's considered noise pollution. Kids who live in Tuszyn, Poland, must leave to city law, husbands are allowed to beat their
their Winnie the Pooh backpacks, lunch boxes, wives — as long as they do it on a Sunday, in
The "Cuddle Puddle" is a natural hot spring in and hats at home as the beloved cartoon public.
Swaziland known for (as the name suggests) character has been deemed an "inappropriate
amorous actions. But don't get too excited: hermaphrodite" there. Because he doesn't wear Tourists visiting the Acropolis or Colosseum
Anything beyond cuddling — especially sex — pants and has non-gender-specific genitalia, will want to trade in their five-inch stiletto heels
is verboten. Pooh is banned from all playgrounds and for a pair of walking shoes. Besides the obvious
children's areas. Donald Duck, consider yourself comfort issue, wearing heels in ancient Greek
Visit Singapore and you'll find many tasty foods, warned. sites is banned. It's to protect the artifacts from
but if you want an after-dinner stick of gum, wear and tear. (Plus, high heels and cobblestones
you'll be disappointed — the country banned Whaling is banned in Oklahoma, which at first are a recipe for an ankle sprain.)
gum and gum chewing in 1992. There is one may seem like a great idea — after all, whaling
exception, however: If you can prove chewing is banned in many places around the world to German babies must be named according to
gum has therapeutic value, then you can have it. protect declining whale populations. But there some very strict rules, outlined in the
hasn't been a naturally occurring whale in Standesamt, or "book of first names." One of the
Scots who really need to go are in luck: The Oklahoma in... forever. The state is landlocked. rules? The baby's name must make the gender
country has an old law on the books saying that clear. For example, "Matti" was rejected as it
if a stranger knocks on your door asking to use You know what's cute? Dressing up your pets in was deemed too difficult to know if the child
the toilet you must let them in. funny outfits. Know what's not so adorable? was a girl or a boy.

Getting fined for doing so. Residents of
The age-old question of what do Scottish men Oklahoma are banned from some types of Why did the chicken cross the road? Georgians
wear underneath their kilts may have a simple animal dress-up — specifically, they're not will never know the answer thanks to a law that
legal answer. Scots must not wear any allowed to put the hind legs of farm animals in forbids chicken owners from letting their poultry
underwear under their kilts or be fined two boots. cross the road.
beers, according to an old but entertaining law.
Not sure how they check compliance or accept Honking on the highway is usually seen as Strange, Weird, Bizarre, But True! []