10 surprisingly strange laws from around the world

Every country has laws but these 10 rules definitely redefined the characteristics of their respective nations.

By

GOOD Staff

Aug 23, 2024

By GOOD Staff

August 23, 2024

Add to Google News

Photo credit: Katrin Bolovtsova – Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels

Every country has its own set of laws and rules that everyone, residents and tourists alike, must follow. These laws often reflect local beliefs, culture, and values. Some laws are designed to maintain order, while others aim to promote a better quality of life.

Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels| Joshua Miranda

Beyond the usual regulations, some countries enforce laws that might seem downright bizarre to outsiders. What’s normal in one place could be baffling in another. Here are 10 surprising laws from around the world that will leave you scratching your head.

1. No pinball for minors

Representative Image Source: Pexels| Cottonbro Studio — Representative Image Source: Pexels | Cottonbro Studio

Certaintly a buzz-kill for many, in South Carolina, anyone under 18 isn’t just discouraged—they’re outright banned from playing or even being near a pinball machine.

2. Step aside from the pigeons

Representative Image Source: Pexels| Serhat Aktepe — Representative Image Source: Pexels | Serhat Aktepe

Feeding birds might be a popular pastime elsewhere, but in Venice, it’s a big no-no. Tourists are strictly forbidden from feeding pigeons. Due to the risk of disease the birds carry, tourists are discouraged from engaging with them lest they be trapped in a flock of pigeons!

3. No to chewing gum

via GIPHY

Not being able to chew gum has got to be one of the most agitating and futile enforcement in the eyes of many. Singapore, however, is clear on what they want and what they don’t. While all the mint is welcome, even smuggling gum, let alone chewing is highly prohibited in the country.

4. Out with the soft drugs

Representative Image Source: Pexels| Aphiwat chuangchoem — Representative Image Source: Pexels | Aphiwat chuangchoem

Soft drugs like marijuana and hash are not allowed to be consumed in the Netherlands. There is a strict set of policies concerning the same. The only exception is the popular Amsterdam where the government welcomes tourists to have a smoke or two at certain shops and outlets.

5. Consuming food around tourist sites and landmarks

Representative Image Source: Pexels| Samson Katt — Representative Image Source: Pexels | Samson Katt

Rome is known for its food but at the same time for its heritage too. This is why the rules clearly state that tourists or others are not to be seen snacking anywhere near cultural, architectural, or other landmark areas. The rule was enforced to maintain the popular space and give them due respect.

6. Spit-stop

via GIPHY

Another rule concerned with hygiene and respect is found at Daytona Beach in Florida. People are warned against spitting in public, be it on a footpath, lane, or any area. Maximum hygiene is what people aim for and avoiding spitting is one good way to kickstart.

7. Stepping on currency

Representative Image Source: Pexels| Clément Proust — Representative Image Source: Pexels | Clément Proust

Be sure to get stares and more if you ever so mistakenly step on currency in Thailand. The money bearing the picture of the King is always to be elevated and respected and stepping or mishandling it is frowned upon in the country.

8. Stilettos are a no

Representative Image Source: Pexels| Kadir Demir — Representative Image Source: Pexels | Kadir Demir

Speaking of stepping, Greece is clear on its verdict about stiletto heels. The country compares the latter to that of walking elephants. The idea is that the popular shoe causes much pressure to fall while walking thus disrupting and damaging the archaeological sites. Hence, sorry ladies, but it’s gonna be a no.

9. No favoring the pennies

via GIPHY

Canada is clear that you cannot overuse pennies. Whether you have other forms of currency and high denominations available is not so much a problem as using over 25 pennies in a transaction is. Might wanna cut down on the pennies while converting, tourists!

10. Marriage first, hotel rooms later

Representative Image Source: Pexels| Ketut Subiyanto — Representative Image Source: Pexels | Ketut Subiyanto

Dubai is big on allotting rooms to its guests. If you’re not married or closely related, don’t even bother trying to ask for a room to live in together. The concepts of live-in, significant other and all other titles are as good as null and void in the UAE.

Add to Google News

More for You

Photo credit: The Coleman Family via Caitlyn Driscoll on GoFundMe – Firefighter Maddie Geer saved the life of her husband, firefighter Robert Coleman Jr.

Local, News

Arizona firefighter donates her kidney to a fellow firefighter—her husband

Husband and wife firefighters go through a kidney transplant together.

Erik Barnes

7/28/2026

Firefighter Maddie Geer was shocked when she heard the news. Another firefighter was diagnosed with stage five kidney failure out of nowhere. She rushed to volunteer her kidney to save her colleague’s life. That colleague also happened to be her husband.

Geer and her husband, Robert Coleman Jr., fell in love while training to become firefighters at different stations. Last year, they got married. This year, after visiting a doctor to address fatigue issues, Coleman found that he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease.

Watch on

It was a total surprise

“What really threw us for a loop, though, is the fire department does very thorough physicals, and nothing was caught with my blood pressure,” Coleman told Action News 5. “Blood pressure was good when I was going into my doctor’s meetings, but at night, my blood pressure was just going out of control. So, that’s what the scary part is.”

Not only that, but Coleman had stage five kidney failure. He needed a new kidney as soon as possible. Geer leapt to volunteer.

“Ever since he got diagnosed with it, I was like‚ ’If I’m a match, it’s meant to be because I’m going to give you my kidney,’” said Geer.

“(Maddie) was just itching to help me in any kind of way. It ended up being the most miraculous way,” Coleman told 12 News.

Watch on

A perfect match

Geer took the necessary tests and found she was a perfect donor match for her husband. They underwent the transplant to rounds of cheers from friends, family, and hospital workers. After the transplant, Coleman immediately felt the change.

“Once I saw him, he looked like a new person,” said Geer. “His face was lit up; he had a smile I hadn’t seen in a while.”

“I felt alive again,” he said. “She gave me a chance at a second life.”

While the two are itching to get back to their jobs, they have to wait until they’re fully recovered. Knowing that taking the proper time off to heal impacts their income, Geer’s sister Caitlyn has set up a GoFundMe for the couple. The money will be used to help with household expenses and follow-up doctor’s visits.

Watch on

Check for signs, see your doctor regularly

There’s one thing that Robert Coleman Jr. hopes people do after hearing his story. He’s advocating that everyone gets their annual physical and regular checkups with their doctors.

“No one is invincible, and I learned the hard way,” he said.

It’s important to be mindful and alert about any changes in your body. The signs for kidney disease can be pretty mundane. Symptoms include swelling in the ankles and feet, frequent urination, and trouble sleeping among others. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s probably best to check with your doctor. It may be scary, but it’s best address any issue you may experience for the best chance of an optimal outcome.

Keep Reading →
Photo credit: Pangea Elephant Sanctuary/YouTube – Julie at the Pangea Elephant Sanctuary.

News, World

After 40 years in a Portuguese circus, elephant retires to become the first resident of a new sanctuary

Julie the elephant starts a new life.

Erik Barnes

7/28/2026

Around 40 years ago, a young elephant named Julie was captured in Africa. Since 1988, she has performed with the Victor Hugo Cardinali Circus. Now, as the last circus elephant in Portugal, she’s finally getting the retirement she deserves—becoming the first resident of the Pangea Elephant Sanctuary.

In 2018, Portugal officially banned wild animals from performing in circuses. The law was fully implemented in 2024 with the circus’s full cooperation. Since then, the circus has continued caring for Julie while Pangea built a home for her and other elephants.

Watch on

Getting Julie to her new home

“This has not been an easy decision, as she has been a member of our family for nearly forty years,” Vítor Hugo Cardinali told The Portugal News. “But we believe it is the right decision for Julie. Working with Pangea on her transition to her new home was a critical factor in our deliberations.”

Now Julie is enjoying mud baths and her new surroundings at the sanctuary in Alentejo, Portugal. Pangea’s officials hope to make Julie’s final years the best they can provide.

“We cannot be sure; elephants in the wild live for more than 70 years,” Kate Moore, Pangea’s director-general, told The Associated Press. “Unfortunately, elephants born in captivity have half the life expectancy of an elephant born in the wild, so we cannot know exactly how much time she has left. She has had a hard life, but I must say she has been very energetic at Pangea this week, so we remain hopeful.”

About the sanctuary

The elephant sanctuary spans 400 hectares and is designed to welcome up to 30 elephants, giving them space to live and thrive. Later in 2026, the sanctuary will welcome a second elephant, Kariba, who is also around 40 years old and currently lives at a zoo in Belgium. Until more elephants arrive, socialize, and get settled, the sanctuary will remain closed to visitors.

Students adopt and support Julie’s new living space

Julie also has some little human friends cheering her on as she settles into her new home. The pupils at Wenhaston Primary School near Halesworth, Suffolk, England, are keeping track of Julie’s progress during their science lessons. After learning about Julie’s life in the circus, they wanted to show their support. They were delighted to hear that Julie was enjoying her new life at the sanctuary.

“I was a bit upset that Julie was taken away from her mum when she was really young,” 9-year-old Mars told BBC News. “[I am] really happy [she’s been given a new life] because in the wild it’s their natural habitat. I think she feels really happy.”

The children’s teacher, Emma Skinner, added, “[The students are] just completely in love with the fact that she’s been released and is in a wonderful place, doing all these wonderful things that she’s not been able to do for such a long time.”

With the support of schoolchildren, her former trainer, and Pangea, Julie’s golden years are looking brighter than ever.

Keep Reading →
Photo credit: Canva – Young Jory Thomas saved a life with his roping skills.

Local, News

14-year-old Montana kid rescues a drowning man with his lasso and rodeo skills

“Luckily, I caught him first try.”

Erik Barnes

7/23/2026

A teenager is being praised for pulling off a heroic act straight out of an American western film. The boy saved a man from drowning by lassoing him like a cowboy.

Fourteen-year-old Jory Thomas was just visiting with his grandparents on their campground near Yellowstone River. Jory had his lariat to practice the roping skills he’d been learning for the past year. That’s when he heard cries for help from the nearby river.

Watch on

“We all heard, ‘Help, help,’” Jory said to KTVQ News. “There’s two or three people floating down the river, one hanging on to the cooler, and he wasn’t saying anything.”

A raft carrying four people crashed into a bridge pillar, knocking them all into the Yellowstone River. While three of them made it to shore, the fourth was drifting quickly downstream as he clung to a cooler. Jory emptied his pockets and grabbed his lariat, immediately rushing to help.

Practice prepared him for this moment

“This current was pretty fast then, and he was moving pretty quickly,” said Jory. “Only thing I could focus on was helping him get out of the water because I didn’t want to see anyone go in front of me.”

Jory had been practicing using a lariat to rope a dummy on his parents’ ranch nearly every afternoon when the weather was fair. Ready for action, Jory ran into the shallower part of the river, getting chest-deep into the water. Letting his training do the work, Jory took his 12-foot lariat and lassoed the drowning man.

“Luckily, I caught him first try,” he said.

Jory slowly pulled the man to shore as first responders arrived.

“I felt pretty good afterwards that I knew he was okay and was out of the water,” he said. “God was basically putting me in the place of all this. God was just telling me all of this at the time and saying, ‘Go get him, you got it, and I believe in you.’”

Jory’s instinct was to help

Jory’s family was proud but not too surprised that he leapt into action. To them, being helpful was just Jory being Jory.

“His first instinct always is to help other people. He’s always been that way,” said Sandy, Thomas’ grandmother. “The whole community is proud of him. We’ve had a lot of feedback, but that’s Jory. He’s always there to help somebody else.”

“We’ll be in town at the grocery store, and you’ll see an elderly person,” Jase, Jory’s father, told Cowboy State Daily. “They can’t pack the groceries, and he never says a word. He goes over and gets their groceries and packs them out. That’s just who he is.”

Watch on

The local police also praised Jory for taking action.

“My opinion, Jory saved the individual’s life, 100%,” said Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg. “Had Jory not acted, I believe the chances of this individual making it to shore were very slim.”’

“Jory saw another in trouble and acted, not for himself but for another,” Ronneberg added. “Jory is a lesson for all of us in this day and age and showed us what is courageous and right.”

Keep Reading →