Mumbai: Our existence is governed by laws: things we are allowed to do and things we are prohibited from doing. Most laws make sense as they establish a standard of ethical behaviour and moral actions for everyone to follow, which are important to maintain order in society and ensure the safety of all individuals. Not only that, but good laws create a fair and just society by holding each individual accountable under the same laws and protecting the rights of all. Undoubtedly, having laws provides society with structure, and breaking them can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment. Most laws are followed out of fear of penalties, but there are some strange and seemingly pointless laws that people break every day. These laws make you wonder why they were put into effect in the first place.
Strange laws exist around the world. Some make sense, while others do not. Here is a list of the top 8 laws:
1. It is illegal not to smile in Milan, Italy
An old law in Milan mandates that people smile at all times in public places or face a fine. However, the law exempts individuals from smiling during funerals or hospital visits. This city regulation was formulated in the 19th century and has not been repealed, even though it is rarely enforced today. In today’s society, where depression, anxiety, and mental health issues are prevalent, such laws could uplift the general mood and positivity in public spaces.
2. Laws against vandalising or damaging money in Scotland, UK
Scotland has two acts that prohibit the destruction of money in any manner. Section 12 of the “Currency and Banknotes Act” adopted in 1928 fines any person who “prints, stamps, or impresses any words, letters, or figures” on a banknote. This law is not as absurd as the previous one. It is understandable to regulate the destruction of currency, as many significant details give money its unique qualities, and damaging or obscuring them can make currency ineffective.
3. It is illegal to jump the queue in a tube station in London, England
While breaking a queue might not have real consequences in most parts of the world, this is not the case in a London tube station. It is illegal to jump or break the queue, and the rules state that you must join the end of the line, whether directed by authorities or not. Moreover, the rule also prohibits gambling and singing on the tube.
4. It is illegal to climb trees in Oshawa, Canada
The Canadian city of Oshawa takes the well-being of its trees seriously. According to a law adopted in 2008, it is prohibited to interfere with a tree located on municipal property. Even climbing or attaching objects to a tree can have serious consequences, let alone injuring or damaging any part of it. The law also disallows the planting of trees on municipal property without written permission from the authorities. While laws against vandalism and the destruction of trees make sense, laws restricting tree climbing seem excessive.
5. Anti-gambling laws in Monaco
Monaco, a small state in southern France, has made gambling illegal for its citizens. The Monegasque gambling tradition dates back to a time when the Monaco government encouraged the gambling industry to improve its poor economic condition. Since then, Monaco has become a centre of gambling, attracting millions of tourists from around the world. Gambling is a big part of Monaco’s economy and culture, but its citizens are not allowed to participate. The Monaco government seems a bit hypocritical in this regard.
6. Feeding pigeons is illegal in Venice, Italy
Feeding birds is a common activity for tourists, but in Venice, tourists can be fined between 25 to 300 euros if caught feeding pigeons, seagulls, or other birds. The ban is due to hygiene and health concerns, as small birds can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans and have a tendency to dirty their environment. This law is not particularly strange, given the risks that these birds pose to public cleanliness.
7. Car wash obligations in Abu Dhabi, UAE
The UAE capital requires its residents to regularly wash and maintain their cars to preserve the city’s pristine and orderly image. Dirty cars can be confiscated, with fines of up to 500 dirhams. An additional charge must be paid to reclaim the car. Washing cars in public spaces is also strictly prohibited. The state’s interference in residents’ private matters, such as mandating regular car washing, is truly peculiar, and residents should not be compelled in such ways.
8. Anti-mask law in Denmark
Denmark amended its criminal code to prohibit people from wearing masks in public. The law mandates that any person participating in public meetings, gatherings, or events must keep their face uncovered. Obscuring one’s face in a way that prevents identification is punishable by law, with offenders subject to fines or imprisonment for up to six months, unless they are covering their face for protection from the weather or for other valid reasons such as illness.
Discover a collection of the world’s strangest laws, including smiling in Milan, avoiding pigeons in Venice, and queue-jumping penalties in London. Some of these laws will leave you in awe of their absurdity! knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
