The
strangest prohibitions
I’m sure most of you have heard about strange laws and prohibitions
from all around the world. I’d like to present you some of them which has surprised me the most.
Metabo Law
Japanese government has announced in April 2008
that it’s illegal to be fat. Both woman and man between 40 and 75 have to
have their waist measured once a year by
local government workers.
All woman above 35.5 inches and man above 33.5 inches are known as “at risk” and are directed to diet and mental support specialists.
The main goal is to decrease the number of citizens with obesity and in consequence exposed to other illnesses like diabetes or some joint injuries.
All woman above 35.5 inches and man above 33.5 inches are known as “at risk” and are directed to diet and mental support specialists.
The main goal is to decrease the number of citizens with obesity and in consequence exposed to other illnesses like diabetes or some joint injuries.
Speeding in Finland
In Finland breaking speed limits may cost you a
fortune!
The cost of speeding ticket depends on your income.
So that in January 2002 the owner of Nokia Company was stopped by the police after breaking traffic law. He was driving a motorcycle 75 km/h while the limit was 50 km/h. It doesn’t seem like huge crime, but after calculating, the ticket was about $12,5 mln. This ticket is said to be the most expensive in all the world. Eventually men paid $103 600 after negotiating with the judge. He explained that his income had dramatically fallen
The cost of speeding ticket depends on your income.
So that in January 2002 the owner of Nokia Company was stopped by the police after breaking traffic law. He was driving a motorcycle 75 km/h while the limit was 50 km/h. It doesn’t seem like huge crime, but after calculating, the ticket was about $12,5 mln. This ticket is said to be the most expensive in all the world. Eventually men paid $103 600 after negotiating with the judge. He explained that his income had dramatically fallen
Wearing flip-flops
In Capri (Italian island) it’s illegal to wear
noisy footwear – especially flip-flops. You may think that it’s because of wild
animals, holy churches or something like that – not at all!
The ban was introduced by locals as they value peace and quiet.
The ban was introduced by locals as they value peace and quiet.
In Spain you may pay a fine if you’re driving a
car wearing flip-flops. Spanish law treats driving a car in flip-flops like
very dangerous and with less control. The cost may be even €213!
Chewing gum – Singapore prohibition
Since 1992 distribution of chewing gum has been
prohibited in Singapore. Penalty for
chewing gum may come up to $70 000 and end up with prison for 2 years.
Reasons of introducing this law is probably getting streets and sidewalks clean.
After negotiations between USA and Singapore dentists and therapists may sell this product to their patients, but despite this – Singaporean people don’t want to use this permission.
Reasons of introducing this law is probably getting streets and sidewalks clean.
After negotiations between USA and Singapore dentists and therapists may sell this product to their patients, but despite this – Singaporean people don’t want to use this permission.
These 4 laws may surprise you as well as I was
surprised.
Maybe you know some strange laws or prohibitions?
What do you think of those 4? Were you surprised?
If you could introduce one prohibition in Poland – what would it be?
Maybe you know some strange laws or prohibitions?
What do you think of those 4? Were you surprised?
If you could introduce one prohibition in Poland – what would it be?
Comments
When it comes to prohibitions you've mentioned I've heard about metabo law. In Japan there is a huge problem with obesity and they had to do something to protect their citizens.
I have never thought about introducing a new prohibition in Poland. We have enough of them already.
About prohibitions which I have heard are:
In New Mexico people who are stupid can't vote.
In Switzerland you can't dry clothes, cut grass and wash car on sunday
In Sweden prostitution is legal but you can't be with a prostitute.
1. It is good. Obesity causes a lot of health problems and this is an idea to solve problem before if even occurs.
2. This is great. I really think that fines should a percent of an income. When there is 120zł ticket, for someone who earns 1200zł per month it may be a problem, but for someone who earns 12 000zł probably won't notice. But it would be almost impossible not to notice a 10% loss
3. I can understand fine for driving in flip-flops, because it may be dangerous, if it will slip it may block pedals etc. Wearing them in the streets ... sometimes it doesn't look good, but I really don't know what is the problem. If they want to avoid noise they should ban talks, laughter and other sounds.
4. I've heard of it as a first. I've read about it on a blog of a gril who lives there. Theoretically it is supposed to stop chuwed gums on the soles.
But did you know, that is Singapore people may go to work in the office wearing same clothes as to the beach?
1. In the Idaho, sad people mustn't walk across the street.
2. In France, there's capital punishment for giving a name 'Napoleon' for a pig.
3. In the UK sticking the stamp upside down is concerned as state treason.
4. In the Alabama, there is a prohibition on wearing ice skins in the back pocket of trousers.
I totally agree with metabo law, it should be world law, especially in America, but even in Poland we have so many obese people. After all it's an illness.
I'd prohibit listening to music in public space. First of all, while crossing a street wearing headphones and your music on -there's a great danger not only for those people but also for others. Secondly, after ban people would pay attention to others, moreover be sensible to their needs and maybe would be eager to talk or just answer simply questions. It makes me angry when there's only a "headphones person" and he/she can't simpy take them off and answer, insteed pretends not hearing and not looking.
I'm not the fan of introducing new prohibitions, so I wouldn't provide any.
2. It is legal to conduct a horse race or a symphony concert. (Eugene, Oregon, United States)
3. Zoot suits are prohibited. (California, Los Angeles, United States)
4. During Holy Week, no horses or wheeled transport is allowed in the city. (Mexico)
In Tuszyn, a little town in Central Poland, Winnie the Pooh is banned from playgrounds. Local authorities argued that Pooh is “half-naked” and of “dubious sexuality”, which is totally inappropriate for little children.
Yeah some prohibitions are really strange and irrational - at this point it's simply a matter of tradition and being afraid of changes.
In Denmark it is forbidden to cover one's face with any type of scarf, masc or anything that can be used as a covering material.
It is due to a history of a prison breaker who had escaped prison and dressed up as a muslim woman, all covered in burqa and having a niqab on his face. As in Denmark it has become quite ordinary for many muslim women to wear such outfits at he time, he was taken as one of them and could not be found later on. Since that situation, the law has changed drastically regarding face covering.
I wonder how people can think the yellow bear can inappropriate. It's hilarious.
I did a small research and I found some:
In Missouri it is illegal to drive with an uncaged bear.
In Samoa it is illegal to forget your wife’s birthday.
In China, it is a law that a person must be intelligent to go to college.
The first one amused me a lot.
Thanks for great article!
Unfortunately, I don't know any weird laws. I think that first place in weird laws hold USA.
But Japan is a country almost without corruption, so I think that japanese are in a good hands :)
I was surprised by Singapore and Capri prohibitions.
I'd love to introduce a lot of prohibitions in Poland. For example, prohibit people from voting if they lack the very basic knowledge about current world situation, ban people from walking around cities shirtless or eating potato chips in public when I don't have my own potato chips to eat.
I wasn't really suprised by any of these laws/prohibitions, because when i was youngerr i was really interested in them.
If i could i'd prohibit breathing. Why you ask? Just because i coud :D
I think it’s good that government tries to keep people healthy and fit, because it’s really important nowadays, when in 2014 over 1.9 billion adult people were overweight.
On the other hand it is some kind of restriction of freedom, if I want to be fat, I should be able to.
But in conclusion I think it’s a good thing.