Every country has its rules, but some laws are so strange, they seem like they were made on a dare—or by someone with a very specific pet peeve. From flying pants in Australia to weird food restrictions in Europe, here are some of the weirdest laws still on the books.
Singapore banned the sale and import of chewing gum in 1992 to keep public spaces clean. Only therapeutic gum (for nicotine addiction, etc.) is allowed—with a prescription! Violators can face heavy fines.
In this Arctic town of Longyearbyen, Norway, dying is technically banned. Why? The permafrost keeps bodies from decomposing—so burials were outlawed in 1950. Terminally ill citizens are flown elsewhere to pass away.
In Greece, to protect delicate ruins, visitors are forbidden from wearing high heels at places like the Acropolis. Stilettos and 2,000-year-old marble don't mix.
Switzerland takes animal companionship seriously. Guinea pigs are social animals, so owning just one is considered animal cruelty. The nation even has "rent-a-guinea-pig" services if one passes away.
In the Polish town of Tuszyn, Pooh Bear was deemed inappropriate for children because he doesn’t wear pants. Yes, seriously.
Feeding pigeons in St. Mark’s Square might seem charming, but in Italy's Venice, it's banned to protect the city’s historic buildings from bird-related damage. If found feeding pigeons, you could be fined up to €700 (around $771).
In many Switzerland apartment buildings, it’s considered noise pollution to flush the toilet after 10 pm. Tenants are expected to wait until morning. Though not a federal law, it’s widely followed in residential buildings.
Monks in Tibet must obtain approval from the Chinese government to reincarnate. It's an attempt to control spiritual authority in the region.