Societies require rules to function correctly, allowing people to live in harmony. However, upon examining some of the laws that have been enacted, one may wonder what the lawmakers were thinking.
Here are some of the strangest laws that have ever existed:
It is illegal not to smile in Milan
Among many old laws that, for some reason, have not yet been repealed, there is the ‘happy law’ that is still in force today in Milan. To be more specific, it is not actually a law but a local regulation from the Austro-Hungarian era that requires every citizen of Milan to smile.
Laws against defacing currency in Scotland
Two of the most famous laws in Scotland prohibit acts of defacing currency.
There are two separate regulations that punish different acts of altering money. The first is the Coinage Act of 1928, which states in Section 12 that anyone who ‘prints or stamps, or by any like means impresses, on any banknote any word, letter, or number’ shall be liable to a fine.
A second bill is even more specific in prohibiting the destruction of money.
The UK’s Salmon Act
This Act, originally passed by the UK Parliament in 1986, describes a set of very detailed rules regarding salmon fishing.
Essentially, this section creates an offence when a person receives or disposes of a fish that has been caught.
Initially called the Salmon Act, the law was amended to discourage all forms of fish poaching.
Chewing gum regulation in Singapore
Singapore is one of the most developed countries in the world, so you may find it odd that it has declared war on a popular substance: chewing gum.
Since 1995, the date on which Singapore approved the so-called ‘Chewing Gum Regulation’, the importation of chewing gum into Singapore has been prohibited.
Gambling ban for Monaco citizens
The origins of Monaco’s gambling tradition date back to a time when the state was facing financial difficulties.
In an effort to boost the economy, the authorities decided to facilitate the entry of the gambling industry into the market.
However, Monegasques are not allowed to experience the casino atmosphere themselves, as they are prohibited from entering gambling establishments.
According to the gambling law, citizens are forbidden from gambling anywhere within the Principality of Monaco. The same prohibition applies to gambling employees.
It is illegal to climb trees in Oshawa, Canada
The Canadian city of Oshawa has very strict legislation regarding tree protection.
A law passed in 2008 expressly prohibits any intervention on any tree located on municipal property.
It is illegal to feed pigeons in Venice
Although pigeons are a common sight in most modern cities, the municipality of Venice has strict regulations concerning these small birds. If you are a tourist in Venice, keep in mind that feeding pigeons and seagulls in the Italian city is prohibited.
Fines range from 25 to 500 euros.
You are required to wash your car in Abu Dhabi
The authorities in the capital of the United Arab Emirates are highly concerned about anything that might tarnish the city’s image. Therefore, drivers are expected to regularly clean their cars to remove dust and dirt.
If a wild animal appears on your land in Romania, then you can keep it as a pet
According to Romanian law, pigeons, rabbits, fish, and other such animals found on someone’s property belong to the landowner as long as they remain there willingly.
The law prohibiting masks in Denmark
Denmark amended its Penal Code in 2000 to ensure that every person walking in a public space is recognisable.
Thus, the law stipulates that anyone participating in meetings, assemblies, or proceedings taking place in public spaces must have their face completely uncovered.
