In Italy, men shouldn’t wear skirts in public
Travellers, take heed. If you get happen to get invited to a Scottish wedding in Italy, you might want to think twice about donning that kilt. While we don’t know how much the law is actually enforced, it’s supposedly illegal for men to wear skirts in public in Italy.
In Croatia, don’t snore in public
Should you be tempted to catch some z’s on a park bench in Croatia (which is also illegal and may get you fined, by the way), just make sure you don’t saw logs. Indeed, snoring in public is against the law in the stunning Mediterranean country that just begs for a snooze under the summer sun.
Don’t kiss adieu on a train platform in France
France may be the cliché country for romance, but if you attempt some PDA on a train platform in Paris (or any place else in the country), it’s technically interdit. That’s right, kissing on a train platform when the train is awaiting departure is illegal in France as it’s seen as potentially causing delays. Best to smooch before the train arrives.
In Germany, don’t recycle outside designated hours
Germans are rabid recyclers. Just don’t think about banging around and making noise, tossing bottles into recycling bins after designated hours. That’s right, recycling hours are particularly strict on Sundays, the day of rest, when you could be busted for a noise violation.
In Switzerland, don’t vacuum on Sunday
Switzerland is another country that takes Sunday, the day of rest, very seriously. And activities that could disturb your neighbours on their day off is strictly verboten. Mowing the lawn on a Sunday is also against the country’s love-your-neighbour rules.
In South Australia, don’t crash a wedding (or funeral)
Attending a wedding abroad is one of the most fun ways to immerse yourself in a new culture. But potential wedding crashers should take notice that, in South Australia, such indecency is actually illegal. Intentionally disturbing a wedding (and funerals too) in that part of the country can come with a very hefty fine and potentially time in prison.
In Greece, don’t wear stilettos at the Acropolis
ashion bloggers and their ilk who are prone to donning high heels in the most inappropriate places might want to think twice when visiting the ancient ruins of Greece. Due to potential damage to the antiquities, high heels are forbidden in many of the country’s most important ancient sites, including the Acropolis.
In Singapore, don’t chew gum
You’ll want to break your gum-chewing habit before landing in Singapore, one of the cleanest cities in the world. While dental and nicotine gum are allowed in certain cases, the Hubba Bubba variety and all its flavourful, for-fun cousins are strictly illegal on Singapore’s sparkling streets and public areas. If customs finds you trying to enter the country with it, it will be promptly confiscated.
In the UK, don’t intentionally slide on ice or snow in the street
Falling down accidentally on an icy winter street in the UK is A-OK. But woe to anyone who purposefully has some fun sliding on a bit of ice or snow
there—it’s technically illegal.
In Thailand, don’t tread on the money
It’s forbidden to insult the highly revered royalty in Thailand, where the lese-majeste laws are considered among the most stringent in the world. That means if you happen to drop some baht (the local currency) and step on the image of the king on it, whether on purpose or not, you’re technically breaking Thai law.
In Holland, don’t ride a bike without a light
Bikes are absolutely everywhere in the flat terrain of Holland, aka the Netherlands. And while you can get away with not wearing a helmet, riding without a light can earn you a fine from the Dutch as a punishable offence.
In Mexico, don’t lift your feet off the bike pedals
Lifting a bike tire off the pavement in Mexico to pop a wheelie isn’t illegal. But don’t dare lift your feet from those pedals while riding around. Even if you’re just cruising along on a totally flat street, it’s considered unsafe and thus against the law to lift your feet off the pedals while biking in Mexico.
In Toronto, don’t climb a tree
Despite a plethora of pretty parks, it’s illegal to climb a tree in Canada’s largest city. So next time Toronto tempts you to scale its stately oaks and pines, take a pass and be satisfied with a photo instead. You’ll avoid the risk of a hefty fine.
In Finland, don’t drive without headlights, even under the midnight sun
The northernmost reaches of Finland get sun around the clock during the longest days of the year, when you hardly need your headlights on to drive at night. But turning them off is illegal, even during the days of the midnight sun in the blissful Finnish summer. In Finland, the driving rule is lights on, all the time.
In Jamaica, don’t wear camouflage
Only uniformed police are allowed to wear camouflage in Jamaica and several other Caribbean countries, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines. That means even wearing a wetsuit with a military motif is strictly banned.
In Spain, don’t drive with flip-flops
Because they can get caught in the pedals and lead to an accident, driving a car in your flip-flops is always a hare-brained idea. And in Spain, doing so—and going barefoot too—can earn you a hefty, on-the-spot fine of several hundred euros. Better to wear closed-toed shoes and put that money toward some tasty Spanish meals instead.
In France, don’t wear board shorts in a public pool
Speedos and other tight-fitting bathing suits for men might be far from stylish in the United States. But in France, it’s forbidden to wear loose-fitting bathing suits such as board shorts and trunks in public pools as it’s considered unhygienic.
In the Maldives, don’t bring alcohol
Fret not—you can sip cocktails at most resorts in the Maldives. But the tropical Muslim country in the Indian Ocean forbids visitors from importing alcohol to paradise. Try to bring it in and it will surely be confiscated at the airport on arrival.
In Dubai, don’t make out in public
It’s easy to get caught up in the exotic appeal of Dubai, especially if you venture out into the beautiful desert. But be careful not to get carried away. Kissing in public is illegal in Dubai, not to mention going further. As the saying goes, get a room.
In India, don’t play cards for money
Like any other culture, Indians love a good game of cards. And pulling a deck out to while away a long train ride can do wonders for passing the travel hours. Just be sure you’re not obviously playing for money, as India’s gambling laws are fuzzy and gambling is illegal in many parts of the country.
