Weird laws around in the world often surprise us with how strange, funny, and sometimes unbelievable they sound. From rules about chewing gum to laws that ban certain everyday activities, different countries have regulations that reflect their unique cultures, histories, and traditions. While some of these laws were created for specific reasons in the past, today they seem unusual or even amusing. In this blog, let’s explore some of the most bizarre and interesting laws from different parts of the globe that will surely make you say, “Is that really a law?” 🌍
- Is It Illegal to Own One Guinea Pig in Switzerland: Switzerland is known for its stringent animal welfare laws. A common question that often arises concerns the legality of owning a single guinea pig. This inquiry highlights the country’s deep commitment to animal well-being embedded within its legislation. In Switzerland, it is illegal to own only one guinea pig. This regulation is rooted in the country’s animal protection framework, specifically the Swiss Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz) and its associated ordinances, such as the Ordinance on Animal Protection (Tierschutzverordnung). These legal instruments mandate that social animals, including guinea pigs, must be kept in groups or at least have direct visual and auditory contact with members of their own species. The law recognizes guinea pigs as highly social creatures that can experience distress when kept in isolation. This legal requirement underscores Switzerland’s commitment to ensuring their psychological well-being, preventing loneliness and promoting a natural living environment.
2. It’s Illegal to Chew Gum in Singapore: Singapore is known for its clean streets, strict laws and extremely efficient public institutions. But one law there has a tendency to surprise tourists more than others: the ban on chewing gum. Under the law, the sale of chewing gum, importing, and distribution are all banned in Singapore. This means that you cannot import chewing gum into the nation or buy it from stores. Under the law, the sale of chewing gum, importing, and distribution are all banned in Singapore. This means that you cannot import chewing gum into the nation or buy it from stores. But then the government did make some exceptions. From 2004 onwards, medical or dental chewing gum, like nicotine gum (to stop smoking) or sugar-free gum (to stop cavities), is permitted. But even those are only available for purchase with a doctor’s or dentist’s prescription. Therefore, chewing gum is not outright banned but highly prohibited.
3. It’s Illegal to Feed Pigeons in Venice, Italy : With thousands of pigeons descending upon Saint Mark’s Square and Venice, lured by the the tourists readily handing out food in exchange for Instagram-worthy photos, Venice lawmakers officially made it illegal to feed the pesky fowl in 2008. It is said the cleanup from the birds cost each citizen €275 per year, so now, the tables are turned. If you’re caught feeding the pigeons, you could face fines of up to €700. Better to get the picture-perfect shot of Venice’s beautiful bridges instead.
4. No Selfies with Buddha in Sri Lanka: When you take a selfie with Buddha, you are turning your back on him. Tsk, tsk. This sign of disrespect is punishable by imprisonment in Sri Lanka. It is also considered disrespectful to point your finger at Buddha, and sometimes there are bans on taking photos with the statues. Although not illegal to have tattoos of Buddha, a British woman was jailed for three days in 2014 for inappropriate tattoos of the man 70 percent of Sri Lankans feel is a prophet and avatar of the god Vishnu. Be polite and cover tattoos, respect “no photograph” signs, and don’t turn your back on him.
