The Weirdest Laws From Around The World – International Laws That Have Us Scratching Our Heads

Jesse Prout | August 15, 2025 11:00 pm

Laws are usually written to keep people safe and maintain order. But every so often, a rule pops up that seems more bizarre than beneficial—leaving the rest of us scratching our heads in confusion.

Some of these laws are so odd, they sound like something a toddler might invent—like forbidding chickens from crossing the road without any explanation. Seriously, who came up with that? Stick around as we dive into some of the most unusual laws ever passed.

It's Illegal To Buy Drinks For More Than Three People At A Time In Las Vegas

Photo Credit: Cassidy Sparrow/Getty Images for Stillhouse Spirits Co.
Photo Credit: Cassidy Sparrow/Getty Images for Stillhouse Spirits Co.

Wait, what? I've always heard that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas—but apparently, not everything goes. If you're heading out for a night on the Strip, bring your dignity, your wallet, and your best outfit—but leave that four-drink tray at home.

That’s because it’s actually illegal to buy drinks for more than three people at once.

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You Must Be 18 Or Older To Play Pinball In South Carolina

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Photo Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images
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Many activities have age restrictions, and for good reason. Regulations around drinking, smoking, and driving exist to help protect people and maintain safety.

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But here's one you probably didn’t expect: in South Carolina, you have to be at least 18 years old just to play a pinball machine. Yep, that’s an actual law.

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In Scotland, You Must Allow Someone Into Your House If He Knocks On Your Door To Use The Bathroom

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Photo Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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This sounds like a burglar's dream scenario. If someone ever wanted an easy way to get into a house (not that they should!), they might want to head to Scotland.

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Believe it or not, there's a law that says if someone knocks and asks to use your bathroom, you're supposed to let them in.

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Fishing While Sitting On A Giraffe's Neck Is Forbidden In Illinois

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Photo Credit: Yahya Sezgin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Yahya Sezgin/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
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Some laws on this list are confusing, but this one truly takes the cake.

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You have to wonder—how many people were taking their pet giraffes fishing before lawmakers decided enough was enough? My guess is six, but hey, I could be way off.

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Waking A Sleeping Bear For A Photo Opportunity Is Forbidden In Alaska

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Photo Credit: STEPHAN JANSEN/AFP/Getty Images
Photo Credit: STEPHAN JANSEN/AFP/Getty Images
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Personally, I'm not messing with a bear under any circumstances. Even if I were a die-hard Coca-Cola fan and knew a polar bear was hoarding a stash of cans, I’d still let it be.

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Seriously—there’s no scenario where waking up a bear ends well.

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You Can Be Stopped By The Police For Biking

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Photo Credit: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
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I have to say, this is one law I completely agree with—and it's surprising that more states don’t have it. In Connecticut, police can stop you if you’re riding a bike faster than 65 mph.

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Honestly, if someone’s pedaling that fast, they might not even be human. That speed on a bike is pretty unbelievable.

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Donut Holes May Not Be Sold In Parts Of Nebraska

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Photo Credit: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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You know what state I'm never going to be living in now? Nebraska. Why? Because there are parts of it that literally don't allow donut holes to be sold.

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Do they have a fun police too? How about a delicious dessert police? Let our friends from the great state of Nebraska EAT.

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It's Illegal For Chickens To Cross The Road In Georgia

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Photo Credit: David Silverman/Getty Images
Photo Credit: David Silverman/Getty Images
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This joke pretty much writes itself. Ready? Why did the chicken cross the road in Georgia? It didn't—because it’s actually illegal.

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Once you stop laughing, I’ll explain why the law exists. Actually, there’s no real reason—because THEY ARE CHICKENS, AND THEY LIVE A LAWLESS LIFE!

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No One May Cross Minnesota State Lines With A Duck On Top Of Their Head

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Photo Credit: Tao Zhang/Getty Images
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Duck owners, pay attention. In Minnesota, you're not allowed to cross state lines with a duck on your head.

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I have a feeling this might come from some statewide dislike of the Oregon Ducks, but I’m still looking into it. Honestly, I can’t come up with any logical explanation.

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It's Illegal To Drive A Dirty Car In Russia

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Photo Credit: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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I agree with this law—though probably not for the same reasons the Russian government does, and that's fine.

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I believe you should be proud of your car. If it’s dirty, it often suggests you might not have everything together. I don’t have any data or research to back that up, though.

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It's Illegal To Sleep On Top Of A Refridgerator Outdoors In Pennsylvania

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Photo Credit: Chaloner Woods/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Chaloner Woods/Getty Images
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We've all experienced it—after a night out, you grab some pizza and just want to crash. Honestly, you don’t care where you sleep, you just want to sleep.

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Most people would probably just find the nearest spot and pass out. Wait, no? That’s just me?

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It's Illegal To Flush A Toilet After 10 PM In Switzerland

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Photo Credit: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images
Photo Credit: ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images
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After seeing this law, I think it's very easy to understand how people in Switzerland get bowel issues. They can't go to the bathroom past 10 pm.

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I don't know about you, but post-10 pm bathroom trips are the most relaxing ones of the day. I really dislike this law. It's crappy (pun intended).

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Whistling Underwater Is Illegal In Vermont

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Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN
Photo Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images for IRONMAN
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Look, if you can whistle underwater, we're going to have a lot of problems with you. In fact, if you are underwater with me and I hear the humming of Mary Had A Little Lamb coming from your wet mouth, I'm calling the police.

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You're officially amphibious and therefore not from this planet. You're an alien.

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Putting Salt On Railroad Tracks Can Be Punishable By Death In Alabama

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Photo Credit: Praful Gangurde/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Praful Gangurde/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
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There are plenty of things you definitely shouldn't put on train tracks—starting with something as serious as a human body.

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But in Alabama, the thing that’s actually punishable by death isn’t fire, sabotage, or anything quite that extreme—it’s salt. Yes, salt on the tracks is the real outlaw here.

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Next Door Neighbors Can't Lend Their Neighbors Their Vacuum Cleaners In Colorado

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Photo Credit: Felix Man/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Felix Man/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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You know how you're supposed to share and care for your neighbors? I mean, I feel like that's what all the religions and people of power tell us.

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In Colorado, the same is true. Well, kind of. You're not allowed to share your vacuum cleaner. Again, it's not a joke.

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Donkeys Cannot Sleep In Bathtubs In Arizona

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Photo Credit: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
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This has to be one of the most ridiculous laws out there. Who decided that donkeys shouldn't be allowed to snooze in a bathtub?

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Arizona might be home to stunning landscapes, but this is where things take a strange turn. If you’ve ever dozed off in a tub, you know it’s surprisingly cozy—so why deny that joy to a donkey? Terrible law.

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Own Two Cows Before You Can Wear Cowboy Boots In Blythe

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Photo Credit: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for WWE
Photo Credit: Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for WWE
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Laws that regulate what people can or can't wear are pretty rare. The most familiar example is probably the "no shoes, no shirt, no service" rule at certain restaurants—but that’s more of a policy than an actual law.

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However, in Blythe, California, things get a little more specific. There, you’re not allowed to own a pair of cowboy boots unless you also own at least two cows.

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It Is Illegal To Rob A Bank And Shoot The Teller With A Water Gun

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Photo Credit: Taylor Weidman/Getty Images
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I guess the people in Louisiana don't like to have a little fun with water guns. As a kid, you know the joy of squirting your friend, or even better, your parent in the face with a water gun.

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Apparently, in other states, if you rob a bank with a water gun and get the bank teller a little wet, it's illegal. I feel like there's a lot of illegal stuff happening, and the water is the least of their worries.

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In Baltimore, It's Illegal To Bring A Lion To The Movies

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Photo by Hoberman Collection/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Photo by Hoberman Collection/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
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This is an absolute disaster. I cannot believe that there's a law prohibiting a lion from going to the movie theater.

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I'm not even lion about this law. Okay, I'm sorry, that's the last pun of the article. In other news, lions aren't good movie dates because they judge you while you eat your popcorn.

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It's Illegal To Buy Or Sell Chewing Gum In Singapore

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Photo Credit: David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Photo Credit: David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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If you're a gum lover, you now know exactly where you shouldn't go on vacation. There's no gum allowed in Singapore. They literally have a prohibition.

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Why? Well, they say that they want to keep their streets clean. Forget the streets, they'll have the cleanest surfaces under chairs and tables in the world.