Certain countries have quite a reputation for unusual laws banning all sort of things we would normally find harmless. All of us who were brought up in a progressive country have a hard time imagining how some items we tend to use everyday are illegal in some places of the world. From food and flowers to colors to hairstyles, you won’t believe the things governments forbid in our modern days.
Here is a list of the world’s craziest bans by governments around the world.
Iowa: Kissing
In Iowa, after 5 minutes of kissing you are breaking the law.
Victoria: Pink hot pants
In Victoria. Australia after mid day on Sunday, it is illegal to wear pink hot pants
France: Pig’s name
Apperently pig’s name is a big deal. In France, it is illegal to name a pig Napoleon.
Burundi: Jogging
In Burundi, do not jog in groups, it may send you jail
Oklahoma: Ugly faces
In Oklahoma, you can be arrested for making ugly faces at a dog.
Monaco: Gambling at the Casino
If You Are a Citizen of Monaco,then you are not allowed to play gambling there. in the 1860s, when Prince Charles III was afraid that citizens of the principality would lose all their money there. It was perfectly fine for foreigners to do so, of course.
India: Alcohol advertisements
The Indian government ban advertisements for alcoholic beverages.
Texas: Guns
In Texas, it’s illegal to threaten somebody with an UNLOADED gun.
North Korea: Blue jeans
It may be the color is associated with the United States, so North Korea banned them.
Japan: Dancing in clubs
This may seem unbelievable that in a country where cities like Tokyo are renowned for their nightlife, dancing in clubs is illegal, but it’s true. A law passed in 1948 to protect “public morals” has meant that, technically, dancing in public venues is only permissible at specially licensed establishments, and only until midnight.
France: Red Bull
This energy drink was banned in the country because of some chemical taurine used in the drink’s recipe.
United Kingdom: Dying in the Houses of Parliament
Technically someone dying in the Houses of Parliament is entitled to a state funeral. And clearly, the government doesn’t want to deal with many of these state funerals. But how could they stop someone from breaking this law?
The Philippines: Claire Danes
After giving interviews in which she described conditions in the city of Manila, where she was filming a movie, in less-than-favorable terms, the city council instituted a ban on all movies starring Danes.
United States: Kinder Surprise candy eggs
Kinder Surprises are banned in the United States. The reason? These chocolate eggs with a toy in the middle, so worries about the choking hazard that could be posed by a non-food product.
Singapore: Chewing gum
Well, not exactly. Singapore bans the import or sale of gum. The original ban came in 1992, when someone used chewed gum to bring the public transportation system to a halt. Somehow.
Denmark: Ovaltine and Marmite
The Danes believe that a balanced diet supplies all the vitamins and minerals one could need, and that too much of these things can cause harm.
China: Time travel
Chinese strongly believe that time travel isn’t possible, so they decided to ban movies and shows about time travel.
Samoa: Forget birthday
In Samoa, it’s illegal for a man to forget his wife’s birthday. “Yes, honey, I’ve done it. Yes, it’s now illegal. Yes, I know if I forget again you’ll have me arrested. I’m really, really sorry. Can I stop sleeping on the couch now?
Iran: Ponytails on men
Hair fashion is not for men in this land. The Iranian government issued a list of appropriate male hairstyles in 2010, which prohibited ponytails, mullets, and hair that was too spiky.
Germany: Running out of petrol on the Autobahn
If you do run out of gas, don’t think about heading off on foot to find a gas station – walking on the Autobahn (federal controlled-access highway system in Germany) is also prohibited.
San Francisco: Wash car with underwear
In San Francisco, California it is unlawful to use used underwear to wipe off cars in a car wash
South Korea: Online video games
South Korean government made a law known as the “shutdown” law, blocked children under the age of 16 from playing video games online between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.
China: Reincarnation
A 2007 law in China on the management measures for the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism made it illegal for Buddhist monks to reincarnate without prior government approval.
Thailand: The Movie Anna and The King
According to a 1930 law, any film that disrespect the Thai monarchy will face a ban, and filmmakers can even receive jail time.
South Africa: Photos of the President’s House.
The South African government announced that it was banning the taking and publicizing of images of the home of President Jacob Zuma, even amongst established media outlets. Naturally, plenty of newspapers defied the ban and published pictures of the home anyway.
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