(LOOTPRESS) – From ancient royal decrees to modern attempts at urban cleanliness, many parts of the world still enforce laws that sound like urban legends. As of 2026, here are 10 bizarre rules and prohibitions that technically remain active
1. Handling Salmon “Suspiciously” (United Kingdom)
Under the Salmon Act of 1986, it is a criminal offense in England and Wales to handle salmon under “suspicious circumstances”. While it sounds like a joke about a shifty-looking fish, the law was actually designed to make it easier for authorities to prosecute salmon poachers who couldn’t be caught in the act but were found in possession of illegally fished salmon.
2. Forbidden Baby Names (Denmark & Sweden)
Parents in these countries don’t have total freedom when naming their children:
Parents must choose from a government-approved list of roughly 7,000 names. If you want a name off the list, you need special permission from a local church and a government review.
3. Compulsory Smiling—Except at Funerals (Milan, Italy)
A centuries-old regulation in Milan technically requires citizens to smile at all times in public. The only legal exemptions are for people at funerals or visiting someone in the hospital. While police aren’t actively handing out “frowning tickets” in 2026, the law has never been formally repealed.
4. Running Out of Gas on the Autobahn (Germany)
While driving at high speeds on Germany’s famous Autobahn , keeping your eye on the fuel gauge is a legal necessity. Running out of gas is considered a preventable human error that creates a dangerous hazard for other drivers. If you stall out because of an empty tank, you can be fined; walking along the highway to find a gas station can lead to a second fine.
5. Mandatory Underwear (Thailand)In Thailand, it is technically illegal to leave your house without wearing underwear. Although this law is almost impossible to enforce and remains a “mystery” as to how checks would occur, it remains on the books as a measure of public decency.
6. No High Heels at the Acropolis (Greece)
If you’re visiting the Parthenon or other ancient sites in Greece, leave your stilettos at home. Since 2009, high heels have been banned at these historic locations because the concentrated pressure from the heels can “wound” and damage the 2,500-year-old marble ruins.
7. The Chewing Gum Ban (Singapore)
Singapore is famous for its strict cleanliness, but many don’t realize the 1992 gum ban is still in full force. Importing, selling, or manufacturing chewing gum can lead to heavy fines or jail time. Exceptions are only made for therapeutic purposes, such as nicotine or dental gum, which must be purchased from a pharmacist.
8. No Reincarnation Without Government Permission (China)
In one of the most surreal examples of government overreach, Tibetan Buddhist monks are legally prohibited from reincarnating unless they have received prior approval from the Chinese government. This 2007 regulation was designed to allow the state to control the selection of high-ranking religious leaders.
9. Don’t Feed the Pigeons (Venice, Italy)
Feeding the pigeons in St. Mark’s Square was once a classic tourist activity, but it has been illegal since 2008. The ban was enacted to prevent bird droppings from damaging the city’s historic monuments and to reduce cleaning costs, which were reportedly costing each citizen €275 per year. Fines for feeding the birds can reach up to €700.
10. No Dying Without a Burial Plot (Sarpourenx, France)
In 2008, the mayor of Sarpourenx issued an edict forbidding people from dying within the village limits unless they already owned a plot in the local cemetery. The law was a tongue-in-cheek protest after a court refused to allow the village to expand its overcrowded cemetery. The mayor even added that “offenders will be severely punished,” though he never specified how.
