Breaking the Law: Strange Rules Around the World

Have you ever thought twice before chewing gum in public?

Or been fined for using too many coins?

Laws vary across the world, and while some rules may seem ridiculous at first glance, many have deep cultural or historical reasons.

In today’s lesson, we’ll explore the weirdest laws in different countries and how they reflect a society’s values, fears, and past experiences.

Let’s dive into a fascinating world where frogs can’t be licked and camels are protected by law!

📖Laws That Make You Say, “Really?”

Laws are made to keep order and protect citizens. But sometimes, they can seem… well, bizarre. Around the world, certain behaviors are outlawed that might surprise you.

In Singapore, chewing gum was banned in 1992. The reason? Vandals used gum to damage the country’s Mass Rapid Transit system, and cleaning it up cost the government thousands of dollars. The legislative decision aimed to preserve cleanliness and order.

In Canada, paying for something with too many coins is illegal. According to the Currency Act, you can't use more than one coin to pay for every $10. This ban helps manage the circulation of coins and avoids inconvenience in shops.

In the United Arab Emirates, swearing—whether verbally or in a text message—can lead to jail, fines, or even deportation. The law is tied to cultural values and a strict code of public behavior. Even indecent gestures are illegal.

In Delaware, USA, it's illegal to sell your dog’s fur. This law protects animals and was introduced to prevent illegal fur manufacturing. Even hair from pets cut at grooming salons or clinics may not be sold.

In Michigan, it’s illegal to throw an octopus in public. This law came after fans of an ice hockey team started throwing octopuses onto the rink for luck—a tradition that caused public hygiene concerns.

And then there’s Arizona, where camel hunting is outlawed. Why? In the past, camels were brought to the desert for military experiments. Locals, fascinated by these animals, began hunting them, and their numbers dropped. The government had to step in to protect them.

Many of these laws may seem bizarre at first, but when you dig deep into their history, they start to make sense. Often, a strange rule was created after a real problem or a historical incident—and now it’s part of the legal system.

📚 Vocabulary Builder

constitution – the foundational set of rules and principles for a country or organization
precedent – a legal decision or example from the past that guides future rulings
bizarre – very strange or unusual
former – relating to something in the past
illegal – not allowed by law
legislative – related to the process of making laws
ban – an official rule that says something must not be done
dig deep into – to investigate or research thoroughly
outlaw – to make something illegal
step in – to become involved in order to help or stop something
withstand – to be strong enough to remain unharmed by something

All vocabulary words appear in bold in the reading text.

💡 Interesting Laws Around the World

• In Seaside, Florida, every house must have a white fence and a nice porch. Why? The town relies heavily on tourism, and the "storybook town" appearance helps attract visitors.

• In Washington State, you must inform the police before committing a crime. As strange as it sounds, this law was meant to decrease crime by giving police a chance to stop it before it happens.

• In North Carolina, wearing uniforms to public events is banned to discourage racist groups like the KKK from gathering in disguise.

• In Los Angeles, licking frogs is illegal! Some teenagers discovered that certain frogs contain hallucinogens and began licking them to get high.

• In Memphis, begging is only legal if you get an official permit. This law was introduced to protect tourists and public spaces near city landmarks.

• In Norco, California, owning a rhinoceros as a pet is forbidden—even though the town allows many unusual animals. One escaped rhino caused enough damage to trigger legal action.

📈 Fascinating Facts and Stats

• The US has over 20,000 laws just regulating the use and ownership of firearms—imagine how many there are in total!

• In Thailand, stepping on money is considered an insult to the king and is illegal.

• In Venice, it’s against the law to feed pigeons in St. Mark’s Square. Why? The pigeons were damaging the city’s beautiful buildings.

• According to a global study, nearly 40% of tourists have admitted to unknowingly breaking a local law abroad.

• In Japan, dancing after midnight was illegal until 2015, a rule dating back to World War II.

✅ True or False Quiz

• Singapore banned chewing gum to prevent subway vandalism.

• It's legal in Canada to pay $100 using only coins.

• Swearing on WhatsApp in the UAE can result in deportation.

• Delaware encourages recycling dog hair by selling it.

• Arizona once used camels for military experiments.

• It’s legal to throw an octopus on the ice in Michigan.

• The UAE allows gestures and swearing if it's in a private text.

📝 Answers

• ✅ True

• ❌ False

• ✅ True

• ❌ False

• ✅ True

• ❌ False

• ❌ False

🗣️ Discussion Prompts

• What’s the weirdest law you’ve ever heard about?

• Do you think these unusual laws are helpful or unnecessary?

• Have you ever accidentally broken a law in another country?

• Which of these laws would be hardest for you to follow?

• What laws would you create to improve life in your country?

💭 Final Reflection

Laws don’t exist in a vacuum—they tell stories about a country’s values, history, and priorities. While some may seem laughable or extreme, they often emerge from real-life challenges.

This lesson reminds us of the importance of cultural sensitivity and doing a little research before traveling.

Who knows—next time you plan a holiday, you might avoid jail just by leaving your chewing gum at home!

👉 Visit Henry English Hub to explore more reading comprehension posts, vocabulary builders, grammar tips, and real-world English content for motivated learners like you.

Whether you're working on fluency, focus, or just want engaging topics to read about, you’ll find it here.

Real English. Real Stories. Learn, Think, Obey.

©2025 Henry English Hub. All rights reserved.