Can You Guess What Country These Unusual Laws Are Still Practiced In?
By: John Miller
2 min
Image: Shutterstock
About This Quiz
Cultural norms and political maneuverings affect laws all over the world, and sometimes the legislative process gets downright weird. Can you match these strange laws to their country of origin?
Which country has a famous ban on chewing gum?
Brazil
Guatemala
Singapore
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
In the early 2000s, officials in Singapore recognized a widespread chewing gum littering problem. The result? A complete (and very serious) ban, one that's penalized by hundreds of dollars in fines.
In ____, it is illegal to step on money, because it has the king's face on it.
Japan
Thailand
America
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Currency in Thailand features the king's portrait, a reason that makes it illegal to dirty the money with your feet. You can actually be thrown in jail for this crime.
Where is it illegal to use more than 25 pennies in a cash transaction?
Canada
Mexico
Iceland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
When Canada began phasing out one-cent coins (something that many Americans yearn for) the government worried about people cashing in too many pennies at once. So for a time, it was very much frowned upon when customers tried to use more than 25 pennies at once.
A 2013 law in ______ forces children to visit their elderly parents.
Cuba
Hawaii
China
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
In 2013, China passed a law forcing children to regularly visit their elderly parents. The law was implemented in part due to China's aging population, which spurred widespread stories of elder loneliness and neglect.
On the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, public swearing is very illegal. Just ask rapper 50 Cent, who was forced to pay more than $1,000 in fines after swearing during a live performance.
In which country is it against the rules to name your baby anything other than one of 7,000 government-approved names?
Yugoslavia
Denmark
USSR
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
In Denmark, society frowns on strange baby names. You can pick from one of the government's approved names or submit a petition insisting that "Sparklefoot" is the name that you think should be allowed for your offspring.
In which country is it illegal to leave your home without underwear?
Cuba
Thailand
Mexico
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Thailand has some weird laws on its books, such as one that makes it illegal to leave home without wearing underwear. No word on how the police actually enforce this one.
In which country are you NOT allowed to hike in the nude through the mountains?
Russia
Japan
Switzerland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
For a time, Switzerland was a fashionable place to go hiking in the nude. But some public backlash resulted in a law forcing people to cover up their privates while prancing through public lands.
In which country is it illegal to run out of gas on the autobahn?
India
Germany
Panama
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Germany's famous high-speed highway, the autobahn, isn't meant for stopped vehicles. So if you make the mistake of running out of gas and have to pull over, you may receive a fine for your lack of situational awareness.
It is illegal to celebrate the New Year with water guns in which country?
Cambodia
Somalia
Greenland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
In Cambodia, the government doesn't like the potential for armed unrest of any kind, even if it's just celebratory water gun fights. You'll want to go elsewhere to shoot huge water blaster.
Where is it illegal to urinate in local canals ... unless you're pregnant?
Russia
Netherlands
South Africa
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
In the Netherlands, public urination is a problem, and it's a health hazard, too -- each year, a few (probably intoxicated) people drown trying to pee in the canals. But if you're pregnant and can't hold it, by all means, pee freely.
You'd think that a European nation would be more liberal about men in skirts, but Italy frowns on the practice. It's unlikely that you'd be arrested for the act, but even if you're Scottish, you may want to reconsider your street attire.
Where is it illegal to hang your laundry out to dry on a Sunday?
Switzerland
Cambodia
Ghana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
In Switzerland, no one really wants to spend one of their weekend days staring at other people's laundry. So don't even try to hang those wet clothes outside on a Sunday.
It's illegal to have a car lacking a Breathalyzer in which country?
France
America
Mexico
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
In France, you're supposed to have a portable Breathalyzer in your vehicle at all times. If you're caught driving without the device, you could face an immediate fine.
Public displays of affection are illegal in ______.
Spain
United Arab Emirates
Britain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
United Arab Emirates, like some other Middle Eastern countries, heavily frowns on public affection. There, you can be tossed in jail for smooching with your significant other.
In which country can you be fined for walking the streets in a bathing suit?
Lithuania
Florida
Grenada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Locals in Grenada apparently got fed up with cruise ship tourists wandering city streets with their bellies (and other parts) hanging out. Police can fine people who stroll without proper attire.
You can receive a fine if you use your car to splash pedestrians with water in which country?
Japan
Eritrea
Montana
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
It really should be illegal everywhere -- the moments when drivers blast through puddles and cause water to shower over people on sidewalks. And in Japan, you can receive a steep fine for doing so.
In which country is it illegal to carry durian fruit in public?
Chile
Malaysia
Arizona
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
In some Asian countries, like Malaysia, it's illegal to carry durian fruit in public. Why? Because they smell awful -- a combination of a terrible chemical smell and rotting meat.
It is illegal to wear camouflage clothing in which country?
Alabama
Barbados
Colombia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
In Barbados and Jamaica, the authorities really don't like anyone other than the police wearing camouflage. You can be fined for looking like you're going deer hunting.
Which country has a law specifying that at least 35% of music played on the radio must be made by local musicians?
Canada
Latvia
Burma
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Canada is aware that its culture is sometimes overshadowed by its large southern neighbor. Thus, legislators decreed that more than one-third of all music on radio stations must be made by Canadian artists like, you know, Justin Bieber.
It's illegal to take pictures of government buildings in which country?
Nigeria
Uruguay
Haiti
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
Nigeria has a conservative population and its government does not like cameras. Take pictures of official buildings and military installations at your own risk.