Just For Laughs: 2014

Friday, December 5, 2014

Just For Laughs: Weirdest Laws From Around The World

This is a list of the 10 strangest laws around the world. Erica Chang, regional director of HomeAway UK did the research on this and even Canada made the list…

1. Only a qualified electrician is allowed to change a light bulb in Victoria, Australia

Australia’s second most populated state says it’s illegal to change a light bulb unless you’re a licensed electrician. Apparently, rebels who defy this law could receive a fine of up to AU$ 10 (£5.50).

2. Milan requires that citizens must smile at all times, or face a fine

Milan in Italy states that it is a legal requirement to smile at all times, except during funerals or hospital visits. Frowners could face a hefty fine.

3. In Florida, it is illegal to pass wind in a public place after 6pm on Thursdays

5.59pm is fine. You would be deemed to have been causing a public nuisance, so you best run home first to do it in a little bit of privacy.

4. In England, it is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament

This was voted the most ludicrous law in the UK in 2007. A spokesman for the House of Commons said: ‘The people who know about these things here say there is no basis for such a law, not to say it does not exist somewhere in writing.’

5. In Oklahoma, it is against the law to have a sleeping donkey in your bathtub after 7pm

Great if your donkey is awake and just enjoying a bit of relaxation time. Not so good if it has snoozed off in a lava of bubbles.

6. In Canada, by law, one out of every five songs on the radio must be sung by a Canadian

It’s actually 35% Canadian content. Part of the CRTC (Canadian Radio and Television Commission) both types of programming there has to be at least a fifth by Canadian performers.

7. It is forbidden to be fat in Japan In the country that brought us sumo wrestling

It is illegal to be fat. In 2009, lawmakers set a maximum waistline, meaning every man aged over 40 must not have a waistline measuring over 31ins, and every woman cannot measure over 35ins.

8. Flushing the toilet after 10pm is illegal in Switzerland

Flushing the loo after 10pm in an apartment building is illegal in the country of Switzerland. The Government consider it noise pollution.

9. In Chicago, it is against the law to eat in a place that’s on fire

No matter how good the pizza tastes, if the restaurant sets on fire – you can’t stick around!

10. Running out of petrol is illegal on Germany’s autobahn, and so is walking along it

So those who do break down must pull over and use their horn to attraction attention. The penalty is €80 (£65) for endangering other drivers.