10 Unusual Laws from Around the World (Part 3)

Laws help society function. They spell out what behavior is considered acceptable and what is not. Some actions, such as murder, are regarded as criminal across the globe. Most countries also have their own unique laws. Here are some of the more unusual:

1. You’d better believe it’s butter in Wisconsin. Margarine is off the menu.

Substituting margarine for butter is prohibited unless requested by the customer [1].

2. In Washington State, you are not allowed to use X-Ray equipment for shoe fittings [2].

3. In Michigan State, USA, cursing God is a misdemeanor [3].

4. Don’t hang out your laundry in the street of an English town.

Breaking this 1847 law could land you a hefty fine.

5. Residents of Kentucky face a fine if they dye a duckling blue and offer it for sale.

6. It is against the law to curse or swear at players or officials during sporting events in Massachusetts [4].

7. In Texas, officials aren't allowed to be "excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments provided he acknowledges the existence of a Supreme Being" [5].

8. In New Zealand, parents are required to submit the names of their children to the government for approval. Accordingly, names must not cause offense to a reasonable person, not be unreasonably long, and should not resemble an official title or rank (e.g. Princess, Justice, King, Prince, Major, etc.) [6].

9. In Louisiana, if you bite someone, it is classified as “simple assault”. But if you bite someone with false teeth then it is “aggravated assault”. [7]

10. In the state of Wyoming, it is against the law to take pictures of a rabbit from January to April without an official permit.  [8]

Notes:

[1] Adapted from: "Law Tour" from Nottage, Claire, et al. (2007). "Do Not Open: An Encyclopedia of the World's Best-Kept Secrets". New York: DK Publishing, Inc. All other factoids unless cited are from this book. 

[2] From Mental Floss YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/mentalfloss

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] From V Sauce YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/Vsauce

[7] From The Daily Telegraph at www.telegraph.co.uk

[8] From The Daily Mail at www.dailymail.co.uk

Photo Credits:

http://www.cheapmascotcostumessale.com/unzipfiles_pic/201301041557301307667570/48149475.jpg

http://myculturedpalate.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/margarine-sayno.jpg

http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/img/photos/2013/05/31/89/84/baby_name.jpg

http://www.tylershields.com/images/art/x_ray.jpg

http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/cartoon/images/Warner/bugs-camera.JPG