Why Foreign Laws Can Surprise You
Traveling to a foreign land is exciting. I have seen many places throughout the world, and I never get tired of spending time in new cultures. Even if you haven’t traveled outside the U.S., moving from state to state can show you very different ways of life.
We are an eclectic nation in an eclectic world. Our laws are fairly straightforward, and we’re used to them. But any ridiculous U.S. law pales in comparison to some of the strange rules you’ll encounter abroad.
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9 Bizarre Laws You Might Break Without Knowing
Before you pack your bags, it’s a good idea to brush up on some of the stranger laws you might encounter. While most of these rules may seem bizarre or funny, ignoring them could get you into serious trouble.
Here are nine laws that will make you scratch your head – from requiring electricians to change light bulbs in Australia to going commando in Thailand.
1. Only Electricians Can Change Light Bulbs in Australia
In the southeast state of Victoria, Australia, you probably won’t find any light bulbs for sale at the local hardware store.
You see, the Victorian parliament apparently believes that changing a light bulb is a feat of great difficulty, because it is only legal for a licensed electrician to – yes, I’m going to say it – change a light bulb.
2. Don’t Climb Trees in Oshawa, Canada
O, Canada! Many enjoy visiting this nation filled with friendly people because it is an unspoiled part of our world.
Canada is covered by a ton of tall, glorious trees, but if you’re somebody who loves to climb them, you may not want to vacation there: If you’re visiting Oshawa, Ontario, and you climb a tree, you’re breaking the law!
3. Dying in Parliament Is Illegal in England
I’m not sure how you can enforce this one… but it is illegal to die in any of England’s Houses of Parliament. But you’d be dead: How do they convict you? And how can you decide when and where you’re going to die?
I mean, you can under certain tragic circumstances, but if you drop dead without warning…? This one just doesn’t make sense!
4. Dolls Must Have Human Faces in France
If you’re a product of the ’80s, you know all about E.T. If you’re a child of a product of the ’80s, you know all about E.T. This beloved alien found its way into all our hearts when the movie first came out; we all wanted E.T. dolls.
If you lived in France, however, too bad! You cannot sell a doll in France unless it has a human face. (But E.T. looked somewhat human!)
5. Forget Your Wife’s Birthday in Samoa? Go to Jail!
Women will rejoice in this law. If your husband is really bad about remembering certain special dates (like, say, your birthday), suggest moving the family to Samoa.
Why? Because if you live in Samoa, you can have your hubby arrested for forgetting your special day instead of just making him sleep on the couch!
6. Drunk Driving Can Get You Shot in El Salvador
I hate to say it, but while this law may be quite drastic, it does make you think! Here, if you are caught driving under the influence, you will face some hefty fines, perhaps some jail time, and, hopefully, the loss of your license.
In San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, they’ll put you in front of a firing squad. That’s a bit much, but I imagine there aren’t too many people driving under the influence in San Salvador.
7. Buying Sex Gets You Arrested in Sweden
This is another law that doesn’t make any sense to me. You can’t die in Parliament in England (I’m still wrestling with that one), and you can’t hire the services of a “woman of the night” in Sweden.
If you’re thinking, “Joe, that’s pretty much illegal here, too, except in Nevada,” prostitution is legal in Sweden. So you can sell sex, but you can’t buy it. What?
8. No Flushing After 10 p.m. in Switzerland
Perhaps soundproofing is poor in Swiss apartment buildings because, in many places, you cannot flush your toilet after 10 p.m. if you live in an apartment. This is polite, I guess, and it ties in with the country’s noise ordinances.
And if you’re a man and you have to go during the night, sit down: Urinating while standing is also illegal after 10 p.m. I’m not sure how they enforce this one any more than the death in Parliament law…
9. Going Commando Can Land You in Trouble in Thailand
If you go “commando,” I don’t want to know about it. But if you go “commando” in Thailand, you could be arrested.
Bangkok, Thailand, has a reputation for things of an illicit nature, but just don’t leave your hotel room without any underwear on – you’ll get in trouble!
Follow the Rules and Stay Safe
As you can see, there are some interesting laws throughout our world. Some are strange, some are funny, and some just don’t make any sense at all.
I’m sure we have some laws here in the States that also make you scratch your head! Still, when traveling abroad, even if you don’t understand the law, follow it anyway. You’re in another land, and you might not have the same rights we have here.
No matter how ridiculous the law might seem, obey it… and have a wonderful time while you’re there!
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