START
From illegal baby names to banned goldfish bowls, these 10 unusual laws from around the world prove that the fine print can be stranger than fiction.
The world is full of laws you expect: don’t steal, don’t speed, don’t set things on fire, and don’t misbehave at sacred sites. But every society has its quirks, and somewhere, at some point, someone did something so specific that lawmakers felt compelled to entrench it in the legislature. When in Rome, it’s best to do as the Romans do, so don’t break the law there preventing goldfish owners from putting them in round glass bowls. From regulations governing fish, romance, and bathroom etiquette, these laws aren’t urban myths or internet folklore. Welcome to a tour of 10 unusual rules from around the world, where the fine print is sometimes stranger than fiction, and ignorance and disbelief are not valid defenses.
1 OF 10
Illegal Baby Names
WHERE: Denmark
In Denmark, naming a baby is a regulated act, not a free-for-all. You can call your daughter Abba, Adele, Madonna, Mariah, or Rihanna, but not Beyoncé or Taylor, as those names do not appear on the list of officially approved names for girls. Naming a baby is tightly regulated in the Scandinavian country to protect children from ridicule or long-term harm. Names must use only letters from the Danish alphabet and generally indicate gender, though around 1,500 unisex options exist, including Amal, Ash, Bach, Berlin, Eden, Everest, Zane, and Zaza. Parents must report their chosen name to the Danish Civil Registry within six months of the child’s birth, and those who want a name not on the list can apply for approval through Familieretshuset, the Agency of Family Law, which decides whether the name serves the child’s best interests.
2 OF 10
No Hula Hoops on Fremont Street
WHERE: Las Vegas, Nevada
You can zipline and soar close to the ceiling at Las Vegas’ Fremont Street, but back on solid ground, no circus-like antics are allowed. At the famed pedestrian mall, oversized hula hoops (wider than 4 feet) are banned, along with unicycles, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, in-line skates, and even shopping carts, unless specifically authorized for events. The rule, enforced by the Las Vegas City Council and the Fremont Street Experience, exists for crowd control and avoiding disruptions to foot traffic.
3 OF 10
Don’t Forget to Flush the Toilet
WHERE: Singapore
Singapore has a series of stringent environmental public health regulations, which means that littering or the staining of walls, lamp posts, or pillars is outlawed, and barbers may not conduct their hair-cutting business in back lanes, stairways, or corridors. Public urination is met with a maximum fine of 1,000 Singapore dollars (around $770 USD) for the first offense and 2,000 (roughly $1,550 USD) for the second conviction. However, the law that most reflects the city-state’s zero-tolerance approach to sanitation is the requirement for anyone who uses a public toilet with a flushing system to flush immediately after use. Forget to do so, and you’re not just committing a social faux pas; you could land in hot water with the authorities.
4 OF 10
No Seduction Under Promise of Marriage
WHERE: South Carolina
The dating game is full of wolves in sheep’s clothing, but the government of South Carolina wants to save women the headache of being deceived by less-than-honest lotharios. Section 16-15-50 of the state code makes it a misdemeanor for a man over 16 to seduce an unmarried woman through deception and a promise of marriage, punishable by fines or up to a year in jail. The law requires corroborating evidence and drops the charge entirely if the couple eventually marries. Though rarely enforced, this statute is a reminder that leading someone on romantically can still be considered a crime, not just a moral failure.
5 OF 10
Handling Salmon in Suspicious Circumstances
WHERE: United Kingdom
“Handling salmon in suspicious circumstances” sounds like a comedy sketch, but in the U.K., it’s very much a real, enforceable crime. Enshrined in Section 32 of the Salmon Act 1986, the law was designed to crack down on the illegal sale and theft of fish, though the wording is famously broad. It applies not just to salmon, but also to trout, eels, smelt, and other freshwater fish, and it is still actively enforced by environmental authorities. As recently as July 2024, a Welsh angler was fined thousands of pounds after being caught with a 31-inch salmon literally hidden up his sleeve, taken illegally from the River Teifi using banned equipment. His fishy behavior resulted in a fine, fees paid to Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and the confiscation of all his fishing gear.
6 OF 10
No Alcohol Sales During Elections
WHERE: Panama
Panama has a lively craft beer scene. What was once a beer market dominated by mainstream Balboa and Atlas now boasts breweries like Casa Bruja, Istmo, and La Rana Dorada, complete with tasting flights in the shape of Panama Canal ships and a hopping annual beer festival. Then, election day arrives, and it all abruptly stops. Under Ley Seca, Panama’s Dry Law, the Electoral Tribunal bans the sale, service, and consumption of all alcohol for 24 hours to keep voting calm and prevent violence. Supermarket alcohol aisles are even completely taped off like crime scenes. The law reflects the assumption that democracy works best when people are sober. Foreigners staying in hotels are exempt and allowed to drink as long as they can prove they’re visitors.
7 OF 10
Don’t Shake It Like a Salt Shaker
WHERE: Montevideo, Uruguay
Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay, a country known for sizzling steaks and being the smallest Spanish-speaking country in South America. In 2015, a ban was put in place there preventing restaurants from placing salt shakers and salty condiments like ketchup and mayonnaise on tables. If you want them, you have to ask. The rule is part of a broader municipal push to reduce sodium consumption and high hypertension levels among the population. Restaurants must also offer low-salt options and flag high-sodium dishes on their menus.
8 OF 10
Aggressive Farting at Police
WHERE: Vienna, Austria
In June 2020, an Austrian man was fined €500 ($582) after what police described as an intentional act of “aggressive farting” during a routine identity check in a public park. According to the charge sheet, the man had already been behaving provocatively when he stood up from a bench, looked directly at officers, and deliberately let one rip. Police cited him for violating public decency, but he later argued in court that the act was accidental and protected under freedom of expression. While the judge concluded that his flatulence did not constitute speech, the original €500 fine was later reduced to €100 ($116).
9 OF 10
No More Goldfish Bowls
WHERE: Rome, Italy
In 2005, Rome decided it had seen enough of goldfish going in circles. City councilors voted to ban classic spherical goldfish bowls, declaring them cruel and unfit for goldfish life, and in the process became one of the few governments to legislate interior design for fish. Animal rights officials argued that round bowls distort vision, restrict movement, and don’t provide enough oxygen. The bylaw, drafted by Rome’s Office for Animal Rights, also outlawed giving fish away as fairground prizes.
10 OF 10
Having More than 50 Kilos of Potatoes
WHERE: Western Australia
Western Australia’s potato laws treat potatoes less like vegetables and more like controlled substances. You may not sell them, buy them, transport them, or so much as look shifty while standing near more than 50 kilos (110 pounds) of them unless The Potato Marketing Corporation of Western Australia has blessed the transaction. The law assumes that anyone found near a large quantity of potatoes is guilty until proven otherwise, that all potatoes were acquired in a single illicit transaction, and that drivers are automatically responsible for any rogue tubers riding in their vehicles. Repeat offenders face escalating fines, plus penalties calculated based on the market value of the contraband potatoes.