Different Countries have different customs, different languages and different cultures, so it’s only natural for them to have different rules too. Just as we may see different cultures as exotic and strange, some of their rules may also seem a little odd. Here are the 8 Weirdest rules in the world!
1. Singapore
Chewing, gum is forbidden in Singapore! No sorry! that’s “Chewing gum“ is forbidden in Singapore, not only can’t you chew it but you can’t buy it, sell it, or even bring it into the country. The penalty for selling gum can be as high as a $100,000 fine or two years in prison. The only gum allowed is medicinal or nicotine gum, and it can only be sold in pharmacies.
2. Germany
Stopping on the motorway for any reason is against the law. German motorways or “Autobahn“ are highly maintained roadways with rest areas and emergency lanes were you can pull over if you run out of gas. stopping on the actual motorway is illegal and carries hefty fines, this is because vehicles traveling on the autobahn can be going very fast, depending on location and weather conditions, vehicles are allowed to go up to “asfastasyoucan“ MPH! that’s “Allyou’vegot“ KmPH!
3. South Australia
“Speak now or forever hold your peace!“ well actually in South Australia it’s more like “Shut up now and forever hold your peace!“ The law forbids the interruption of any secular or religious ceremony, be it wedding or funeral. interrupting a ceremony can cost you up to $10,000 in fines or up to 2 years in prison.
4. Severance, Colorado
Over 100 years ago a law was made the forbade throwing objects at other people or at their property. This unfortunately meant that it was against the law to have a snowball fight. Thankfully in 2018, a 9 year old boy collected signatures and prepared a presentation on why this law should be abolished and the law was withdrawn. so now the kids of Severance, Colorado are free to have snowball fights, and to throw stones through their neighbors windows!
5. Bergun, Switzerland
The municipality of Bergun has made it illegal to take photographs of it’s beautiful town and scenery. Residents are allowed to take photos and you can take photos from a moving car or train, but whilst you’re visiting Bergun you cannot, and you will be fined if you’re caught. The reason for this weird rule is actually quite simple. The idea was to increase tourism. People who want to see the beauty of Bergun, have to visit. you can’t just show your friends how beautiful it is, you have to tell them and if they want to see it, they have to visit!
6. Longyearbyen
In this town which is the most northern inhabited town in the world, it is illegal to be buried. The people who die here and the Older and more infirm residents are moved to Oslo to see out their final days and be buried. This sounds very harsh, but due to the extremely low temperatures in Longyearbyen, the ground is constantly frozen all year round. This “Permafrost“ makes grave digging especially difficult, it also, preserves the bodies. In 1918, the “Spanish Flu“ killed many residents of Longyearbyen, in the 1950s it was discovered that the bodies of the dead (and possibly the virus) were perfectly preserved in their graves. since then, it was forbidden to bury the dead in Longyearbyen.
7. Switzerland
In Switzerland there are legal “quiet times“, which are generally between 10pm to 7 am in winter, and 11pm to 7 am in summer. During these periods all unnecessary noise should be avoided. however, Swiss landlords are allowed to interpret this law how they please, depending on their location, and the fussiness of their tenants. This has led to landlords prohibiting people having baths or even flushing the toilet within this time period.
8. Canada
Witchcraft is illegal in Canada, well actually, pretending to do Witchcraft is illegal, if you actually do real witchcraft, then that’s fine, but it’s illegal to:
Pretend to Cast spells.
Pretend to tell fortunes.
Pretend to find lost property or persons using occult powers.
We imagine this law is an attempt to protect people against Charlatans and Psychics but we’re not quite sure how you’d enforce it.
Which rule did you think was the weirdest?
Comment below!
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