10 Unusual Laws from Around the World (Part 1)

Laws spell out what behavior is considered acceptable and what is not. Most countries also have their own unique laws. Here are some of the more unusual laws from around the globe.

1.    In Athens, Greece, only cars with odd-numbered license plates can drive in the city on odd-numbered days. Ofcourse, residents have gotten around this congestion-busting legislation by buying a second car with even-numbered plates so they can drive on both days.

2.    Don’t even think about training a bear to wrestle in Alabama, US. It is against the law.

3.    The sale of chewing gum is prohibited in Singapore. Gum is banned to counter the sticky problem of chewed gum residues on sidewalks and in subway stations.

4.    In Singapore, grown children are legally required to visit or support their aging moms and dads. The law is known as the “Maintenance of Parents Act” [2].

5.    Ordering a pizza to be delivered to a friend without telling them can be a costly prank in Louisiana, US. A $500 fine can be levied on anyone found guilty of ordering goods or services for another person without their permission.

6.    An old law in Mexico states that bicycle riders may not lift either foot from the pedals. The law was passed to ensure that cyclists don’t lose control of their bikes. But this makes me wonder:  how do they dismount without breaking the law?

7.    In Europe, some countries passed laws of “presumed consent” regarding body organs. Rather than requesting that a person donate his organs in the event of an accident, the state assumed the right to harvest his organs unless he or his family specifically opted out [3].

8.    In the middle of the 19th century, an English law forbids people from flying kites in the street. This law was passed to help combat antisocial behavior in the rapidly expanding cities.

9.    You cannot walk around in public if you have a cold in Washington State, US.  It is a misdemeanor to be in a public place if you have a contagious or infectious disease.

A little disclaimer: This is not a saguaro cactus. This is Togemon.

10. Cutting down a cactus in Arizona, United States, could land you in jail for 25 years. The saguaro cactus is an endangered species, so local lawmakers have taken measures to protect it.

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.

[2] “Unbelievable Stories About Apathy and Altruism” from Levitt, Steven D. and Stephen J. Dubner (2009). “Super Freakonomics”. New York: William Morrow. p.106.

 [3] Ibid. p.111.

Photo Credits:
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090205060246/digimon/images/4/4d/Togemon_b.jpg
http://cdn.lolcaption.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/wpic-pizza-win.jpg
http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/36823550.jpg
http://www.thedestroyer.com/images/victorthebear.jpg
http://www.funcage.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Singapore-Chewing-Gum.jpg
http://www.myindiapictures.com/pictures/up1/2012/05/ak47-funny-car-number-plate-india.jpg