Weird laws around the world

Travelling across the globe or relocating to a different country is an adventure filled with new experiences, cultures, and, sometimes, bewildering legal systems. While most laws are straightforward and aim to maintain public order and safety, others can be surprising and even downright bizarre.

From bouncing pickles in the States to banning wearing suits of armour in UK parliament, these regulations may seem outdated or humorous. However, they often reflect historical contexts or specific local values, and being aware of them can help you navigate new environments with ease and respect.

Weird laws in the US

The United States legal system is unique due to its federal structure, which divides power between national and state governments.

Although the US Constitution is the supreme law, rules and regulations vary widely from state to state, leading to many legal peculiarities as areas attempt to address specific issues within their community.

Here are a few of the US's biggest legal head-scratchers:

1. Don’t let your donkey sleep in the bathtub in Arizona

Although quirky, this law stems from an actual historical event. The story goes that in the 1920s, a rancher from Kingman, Arizona, would allow his hoofed friend to snooze in an abandoned tub on his property. But one day, a dam burst, flooding the area and taking the donkey for a wet and wild ride.

A considerable amount of the town's resources was then spent trying to rescue the animal, greatly upsetting the inhabitants and compelling local legislators to enact the law to prevent such scenarios from occurring again.

2. Check your pickle bounces in Connecticut

This unusual regulation was passed in the 1940s after two men were arrested for selling spoiled pickles. At the time, no rigorous food safety standards were in place, prompting officials to devise a simple method to ensure pickle quality: the bounce test.

If a pickle bounces when dropped from a certain height, it indicates proper texture and firmness, deeming it fit for consumption. Conversely, a pickle that fails to bounce is considered rotten and unfit for sale, safeguarding public health.

3. Refrain from public hula-hooping in Las Vegas

The ban of hula hoops on Vegas's Fremont Street, a famous strip known for its vibrant atmosphere and energetic street performers, is to ensure public safety and prevent congestion.

Using hula hoops in such a crowded environment can pose risks, including potential injuries, disruptions to pedestrian flow, and property damage.

4. Remember your high-heel permit in California

While the belief that high-heel shoes are banned in California is a misconception, it stems from specific local regulations rather than a statewide law. In the coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, an ordinance requires a permit for wearing heels over two inches high with a base of less than one square inch.

The rule was introduced to protect the city from liability due to its uneven sidewalks and cobblestone streets, which pose a tripping hazard. And, although the law is rarely enforced and permits are given freely, it serves as a precautionary measure to limit the city's legal responsibility in case of injuries.

5. Only those over 18 can play pinball in South Carolina

For many years, South Carolina had a law prohibiting minors from playing pinball. Originating in the mid-20th century, the ruling aimed to protect young people from the corrupting influence of gambling, as pinball was considered a game of chance rather than skill.

Fortunately, the moral panic subsided and in 2016, the state finally repealed the law, acknowledging that pinball was a harmless pastime.

Weird laws in Canada

Canada's legal landscape is as diverse and vast as the country itself, leading to some truly unusual laws. Shaped by a combination of colonial influences, Indigenous customs, and the practical needs of governing such a large and varied land, below are some of the Great White North's most bizarre rules:

1. Never pay Canadians in pennies

The country's "no coin overload" law, part of the Currency Act, limits the number of coins you can use in a single transaction to prevent large payments made entirely in small change. 

The rule restricts the use of pennies (though no longer in circulation) to 25 cents, nickels and dimes to $5, and $1 coins (loonies) and $2 coins (toonies) to $25 and $40, respectively.

2. Refrain from whistling in Petrolia, Ontario

This small town's ban on "yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling, or singing" was established to maintain peace and quiet, reflecting the community's desire for a calm and orderly environment.

While most noise bylaws are typically enforced at night to prevent disturbances while people sleep, Petrolia's regulation is unusual because it applies 24 hours a day.

3. Keep your ladder unpainted in Alberta

Although dated, as most modern ladders are fibreglass or aluminium, the province's ban on painting those made from wood is a sensible safety regulation.

Paint can conceal structural weaknesses, such as cracks or splinters, and trap moisture, leading to wood deterioration and potential accidents.

Weird laws in Australia

Australia might be known for its laid-back vibe, but its legal system includes many surprisingly strict and strange decrees. While some date back to colonial times and are heavily influenced by British law, others have arisen in response to the country's unique environment and geography.

Here are three regulations that seem the oddest to outsiders:

1. No changing light bulbs without a licence

Electrical safety was once taken so seriously in Victoria, Australia, that even minor household tasks like changing a light bulb had to be performed by trained electricians.

The rationale was that all electrical work, regardless of its apparent simplicity, carried potential hazards that could lead to serious risks if not handled correctly. Luckily, as regulations have evolved over time, the requirement for a license to change a light bulb has been relaxed.

2. Hot pink trousers are illegal on Sunday afternoons

Although this historical dress code, aimed at imposing moral standards and maintaining public decency, is no longer enforced, the ban on brightly coloured clothes after midday on the Sabbath is still officially on the books.

It serves as a reminder of how legal standards in Australia have changed through the years and how quirky laws can capture the character of different eras!

3. Only attend weddings if you have an invite

In New South Wales, gatecrashing (attending an event without an invite) weddings, funerals, and other significant occasions can result in a fine of AU$5,000 or a year of imprisonment.

This legal measure prevents uninvited guests from disrupting profoundly emotional and personal ceremonies and emphasises the need to preserve the integrity of these communal rituals.