The world isn’t just complicated — it’s straight-up illogical at times. And the deeper you dive into things like legislation from different countries, the more one single question keeps popping up:
“Wait… how? And more importantly — why?! Funny laws!”
Just imagine: somewhere in the U.S., there’s still a law that forbids keeping a donkey in a bathtub. Seriously. And in England, it’s illegal to die in Parliament. Like, if you’re about to pass out — kindly step outside first. Or at least try.
These laws aren’t jokes. They’re real. Still in force. Some come with weirdly charming backstories. Some are oddly dark. And some just… exist. Like scars from history that no one bothers to erase. And honestly, that’s kind of beautiful in its own weird way. Because what else — if not absurd humor — brings us closer to understanding how the world actually works?
This article is about those laws. The strange rules that somehow survived the march of time. The stories behind them — some you wouldn’t believe unless you read them in a legal book. And a bit about why no one’s bothered to repeal them.
Because, let’s face it: maybe it’s better that way. Sometimes, absurdity deserves to stay — just so we can laugh at it.
- 1 Funny laws – America. Land of the free. And totally bizarre restrictions.
- 2 Funny laws – Europe. Where traditions are sacred
- 3 Asia and Oceania: Where discipline meets absurdity
- 4 Africa and the Middle East: where law is not always logic, but sometimes magic, religion, and something strange
- 5 A world where humor has legal power
Funny laws – America. Land of the free. And totally bizarre restrictions.
Let’s start with the United States — the country where you can virtually marry yourself but can’t, say, carry ice cream in your back pocket. Of course, it depends on the state. But overall, this country has collected more legal absurdities than most comedians could dream up.
Law #1. Arizona: “No donkeys in the bathtub after 7pm”
Yes, you read that right. Arizona once passed a law that bans donkeys from being in bathtubs after a certain hour. And while it sounds like a prank, the reason is 100% real: back in the 1920s, during a flood, a donkey literally climbed into a bathtub — the only safe place around. It was eventually rescued, but local officials decided: never again. Apparently, donkeys and bathtubs don’t mix.
Law #2. Alabama: Mustache bans in church if they cause laughter
Here’s where it gets theatrical. In Alabama, it’s illegal to wear a mustache in church if it might provoke laughter. And no one really defines what counts as a “funny mustache.” So you might rock a Salvador Dalí look, but if someone giggles — you’re technically in violation.
Law #3. Alaska: You can’t wake a bear for a selfie
In Alaska, there’s an actual law that bans you from waking up a bear just to take a selfie. No joke. Sounds crazy, but apparently someone did try to wake a full-grown grizzly for a photo op. Lawmakers thought: yeah, let’s shut that down before more people die trying.
Law #4. Indiana: Tried to redefine pi
Once upon a time, a lawmaker in Indiana proposed to legally redefine the value of pi. Yep — π. Just wanted to round it to something like 3.2. Because, and I quote, “all those endless decimals are a hassle.” The bill didn’t pass (thankfully), but the fact that it was even introduced? Legendary. Some sources still mistakenly report that it did pass.
Well, it’s Indiana. Anything’s possible.
All of these examples kind of sum up American legislation: protect people from what already happened. And also — from whatever future nonsense someone’s bound to try next. Because if one guy did it, you can bet two more will try. Even if it involves bathtubs, bears, or questionable mustaches.
And this isn’t comedy — it’s just real life.
Funny laws – Europe. Where traditions are sacred
Someone once said, “In Europe, everything is strict. No time for nonsense.” But the moment you open up the archives of their local laws, it becomes clear — no one ever banned laughter. They just made it official. With paperwork, stamps, and multi-page explanations for why you’re not allowed to die in Parliament.
United Kingdom: No dying in parliament
This law is a classic. It’s even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the “strangest active laws.” In the UK Parliament, it’s technically illegal to die. Not because death is somehow forbidden (though it sounds dramatic), but because — legally — anyone who dies on the grounds of Westminster Palace is entitled to a state funeral. So, to avoid any fuss, they just made a… ban. Efficient. Elegant. And completely absurd.
Interestingly, no one has ever repealed this law. Because, again — why bother? People usually try not to die in Parliament. And if someone does, well, they’re unlikely to do it on purpose.
France: You can’t name a pig “Napoleon”
This sounds like a joke from some satire website, but at one point in France, it really was illegal to name animals (especially pigs) after prominent political figures — most notably, Napoleon. It wasn’t just about respect. It was about national dignity. A pig with the name of the emperor? That was simply too much. Even for France, where absurdity can sometimes feel like refined art.
What’s funny is that this law inspired jokes in cartoons, comics, and theatre. Because if a law gets more laughs than order — it definitely deserves attention.
Switzerland: No flushing toilets after 10 pm
Switzerland is the land of precision. Everything must be on schedule — even toilet use. Seriously, in some apartment buildings, there are rules that you can’t flush the toilet after 10 PM. Or rather, you can’t flush loudly, because it’s a “noise violation.” And that’s no laughing matter.
The Swiss take domestic etiquette very seriously. But still, you’ve got to admit — it’s kind of funny. If nature calls after 10 PM, you either have to hold it or flush… quietly. Or use a bucket. Preferably soundless.
Italy: No feeding the pigeons in St. Mark’s square
Feeding a pigeon in romantic Venice sounds like the perfect postcard moment. But the Italian authorities disagree. Feeding birds in St. Mark’s Square is banned. Why? Because, believe it or not, they poop everywhere. And sometimes aggressively attack tourists if they’ve been spoiled with food. It starts out like a romantic gesture — ends up like a horror movie with wings.
So they said: enough. And introduced fines. Big ones. One handful of breadcrumbs could cost you a few dozen euros.
Asia and Oceania: Where discipline meets absurdity
Asia is a continent of contrasts. Everything here can be deeply traditional and wildly modern at the same time. Sometimes even too much. So it’s no surprise that the local laws are a kaleidoscope of the bizarre — from rules about skirt length to a total ban on chewing gum. And then we have New Zealand and Australia, where legal humor often walks hand in hand with plain absurdity. But still — all official, with seals and paperwork.
Singapore: “No gum, no problem”
Singapore is, without exaggeration, the cleanliness champion of the world. People don’t just avoid littering — they legally can’t sell chewing gum. Seriously. This law was introduced back in 1992. Why? Because someone — somewhere — started sticking gum onto metro doors. This caused major malfunctions in the automatic systems. The solution was swift and bold: ban gum altogether. No gum — no problem.
Breaking the rule? Massive fines. If you’re caught with a pack of gum — prepare to pay up. And yes, the law is still in effect. Singaporeans are proud of it, by the way. Because to them, gum is not a treat — it’s a source of chaos.
Japan: Waistlines under surveillance
In Japan, waist size is literally regulated. Not in a fashion sense — legally. There’s an actual law that requires employers to measure employees’ waists. Men over 40 years old are not allowed to have a waist circumference over 85 cm; for women, it’s 90 cm. It’s part of a nationwide health policy to fight obesity.
So imagine this: an accountant named Hiroshi sits down to lunch, and boom — waist check. If he’s over the limit — he gets a consultation, or sometimes even a fine. But hey, this is Japan. Discipline is sacred. Even when it comes to centimeters.
Thailand: No underwear? No way out
This one’s a bit more serious. In Thailand, there’s a still-active law that forbids leaving home without wearing underwear. No, the police don’t go around checking everyone, but technically — this is a legal requirement. And it’s not really about morality, as one might think. It’s more about maintaining a “dignified appearance.” Kind of like “no robes outside,” but one layer deeper.
But that’s not all. In Thailand, you’re also not allowed to drive shirtless. Even if it’s +40°C and you’re just a tourist on a scooter. Technically — that’s a fine. Practically — you might get away with it. But the law? It’s still there. Unmoved.
Australia: “No pink shorts after noon on sundays”
Australia is a land of contradictions. Many old laws still exist from colonial times. One of the most ridiculous? In some states, it’s illegal to wear pink shorts after 12 p.m. on Sundays.
Why? There’s a theory that it was once used to enforce dress codes at public events and city picnics — to prevent “indecency.” But let’s be real — this sounds like stand-up material. And although no one’s checking what you’re wearing anymore, the law hasn’t been repealed. Because, well, why bother?
New Zealand: No, you can’t name your child “Flagpole”
In New Zealand, if you want to name your son “Lucifer” — you’ll be rejected. The country has a long list of banned baby names. And they don’t just block “satanic” references — they go after anything that sounds like titles, ranks, or weird objects. For example, you can’t name your kid “King” or “Flagpole.” Why? Because the government says it undermines a citizen’s dignity.
Funny? Yes. Slightly creepy? Also yes. Because someone actually tried naming their child “Flagpole.” More than once.
Asia and Oceania prove that even when systems try to regulate everything, there’s always room for something bizarre. Sometimes it stems from a fear of repeating a past mistake. Sometimes it’s just a creative way to keep people on their toes. Like a reminder: “Don’t want a fine? Stay alert.”
And at the same time — what a treasure trove of humor. Maybe not always laugh-out-loud funny, but definitely fascinating. Because what else but a gum ban makes you smile and think, “Yeah, the world’s a little crazy. But that’s what makes it fun”?
Africa and the Middle East: where law is not always logic, but sometimes magic, religion, and something strange
Here it’s much more complicated. Africa is huge, with different languages, tribes, a colonial past, and confusion in the present. And the Middle East is a whole other story, where religious rules often take precedence over “civil” law. However, it is precisely here that you can find laws that, against this serious background, cause slight surprise or even a smile. Because how else to react when your phone can be confiscated… for a bad prayer?
Sudan: witchcraft is not a myth, it’s a crime
Yes, in some regions of Sudan (especially rural ones), laws against witchcraft are still in effect. And this is not folklore but real articles that can convict someone for “spells,” “incantations,” or “hexes.”
That is, if someone complains that their palm tree has withered or their stomach is upset — they can always accuse the neighbor of witchcraft. And the funniest part is that such cases sometimes reach court. There are even real protocols where people describe dreams, appearances of snakes, voices in their heads — all used as evidence.
Sounds like fantasy, but for Sudan — it’s an everyday reality.
Saudi Arabia: robots are not allowed in the mosque
One version of Saudi Arabia’s legislative proposals includes a clause that artificial intelligence is forbidden to participate in prayer rituals. The idea is that if there are too many robots (they already exist as info-guides in Mecca), their “pious presence” must be regulated.
So imagine: the future, a temple, many people, and someone praying seriously while a robot assistant stands nearby. Then they say to it: “Sir, you are not allowed here.” The law sounds funny but is actually a reaction to rapid technological development and the attempt to avoid what is considered “desecration of sanctity” in some places.
It sounds like the beginning of a satirical drama.
Zimbabwe: mocking the president is illegal… even if accidental
Until recently, Zimbabwe had a law that any criticism or mockery of the president was a crime, even if it was done privately among friends. The most famous case: a man was arrested for smiling at the president’s portrait in a bar. Police reports noted that the “look was mocking.”
And how not to think of Orwell here?
Another case: a man confused the president’s name with a comedian’s during a TV show. Crime. Now the situation has changed a bit, but these old norms still live on in many minds.
United Arab Emirates: photographing without permission is forbidden (seriously, very!)
The UAE has one of the strictest privacy laws in the world. Here it is illegal to photograph a person without their consent. And this is not just “ethically wrong” — it’s a criminal offense. If you photograph someone at the beach, in a supermarket, even accidentally — and that person files a complaint, get ready for a huge fine or even jail.
Such cases happen. Tourists post photos from vacations showing other people — and trouble starts. Serious trouble.
A world where humor has legal power
All these strange laws aren’t just legal curiosities. They reflect who we were, what made us laugh, what we feared. They’re traces of old times, rituals, ways of life. Sometimes silly, sometimes touching, sometimes even creepy. But always real.
In this kaleidoscope of absurdity, there’s something comforting about it. Like, if the world survived laws about pink shorts and licking frogs, it can definitely handle anything. And as long as laws about licking frogs haven’t become part of the mandatory school curriculum, we can keep laughing. Out loud. And the law doesn’t forbid us that.
Read more: