10 Outrageous Laws That Still Exist Today

1. In Florida, It’s Illegal to Sing While Wearing a Swimsuit

Florida is known for sun, surf… and some rather strange legislation. Among the oddest is a state law that makes it illegal to sing while wearing a swimsuit in public. So if you’re planning to break into song on Miami Beach, you might want to put on pants first.

This archaic rule is one of many “morality laws” passed in the early 20th century during waves of social conservatism. At the time, there was deep concern over the "indecency" of beach attire—especially when paired with public performances like singing or dancing.

While this law is rarely enforced (if ever), it's still technically on the books. Legal experts suggest it might violate free speech rights today, but unless it’s officially repealed, you’re still taking a risk by belting out your favorite tune in a bikini. It's a good reminder that even paradise can have petty rules.

???? [Source – Florida Statutes Archives]

2. In Switzerland, It’s Illegal to Flush After 10 p.m.

In some Swiss apartment buildings, tenants are legally prohibited from flushing their toilets after 10 p.m. The reasoning? Noise pollution. Authorities once considered the sound of a toilet flush too disruptive for shared housing late at night.

While this law is not federal, it exists in various local building codes and tenancy regulations, particularly in Zurich and other older cities. The goal was to foster a sense of courtesy and keep the peace among neighbors in dense housing blocks.

Today, many residents ignore the rule without consequence—but technically, it's enforceable by landlords, and fines are possible. And yes, it's led to awkward moments where tenants must choose between breaking the rule or… holding it until sunrise.

As plumbing systems improved and societal norms changed, the law’s practical use faded—but its existence shows just how far people will go to legislate quiet nights.

???? [Source – Swissinfo.ch / Local Zurich bylaws]

3. In Samoa, It’s Illegal to Forget Your Wife’s Birthday

For the forgetful husbands of Samoa, skipping your wife’s birthday isn’t just a relationship risk—it’s a criminal offense. That’s right: under Samoan law, forgetting your spouse’s birthday can land you with an official reprimand or fine.

The law reflects the Samoan cultural emphasis on respect and familial duty, particularly within marriage. Birthdays are seen not just as personal celebrations, but as important social rituals tied to honor and status. Failing to acknowledge one’s partner, especially a wife, is taken seriously.

While police aren’t storming through homes asking about missed cakes, the law has been cited in domestic disputes—often used as legal leverage in broader conflicts. It’s more symbolic than strictly enforced, but it sends a clear message: in Samoa, love is law.

And honestly, it might be one of the few outrageous laws that could genuinely improve relationships—by keeping a few more men out of the doghouse.

???? [Source – Pacific Legal Resources / Local reports]

4. In France, It’s Illegal to Name a Pig ‘Napoleon’

French law has long protected the reputation of Napoleon Bonaparte, even from barnyard slander. Since 1881, it’s been illegal in France to name a pig ‘Napoleon’, a law originally enacted to preserve national dignity and prevent mockery of the Emperor’s name.

While this might seem quaint or comical, the rule stems from a time when insulting historical figures—especially national heroes—was seen as an affront to the state. And since pigs were often considered dirty or uncivilized, using such a revered name for one was perceived as a form of intentional defamation.

The law resurfaced in public consciousness after George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”, in which the dictatorial pig is named Napoleon. French officials reportedly weren’t amused, although no charges were filed.

Though rarely enforced today, the regulation remains on the books. Technically, you could still face a fine—or worse—for giving your farm animal a little too much revolutionary flair. It’s a law that reminds us: France takes its emperors, and its pigs, very seriously.

???? [Source – French Civil Code / Historical Statutes Archive]

5. In Venice, It’s Illegal to Feed the Pigeons

Tourists flock to St. Mark’s Square in Venice for the architecture, the atmosphere… and, historically, the pigeons. For decades, travelers bought bags of birdseed and took iconic photos as pigeons swarmed their arms and heads. But since 2008, it’s been illegal to feed the pigeons in Venice, with fines reaching up to €700.

The reason? The birds were doing serious damage. Their acidic droppings were corroding statues, eroding marble facades, and adding millions of euros in cleaning costs each year. The Venetian authorities decided enough was enough.

Today, signs around the city warn tourists not to feed the pigeons. Despite the ban, some still do—and occasionally pay for the photo with a stiff fine. Locals support the rule, noting that the pigeons not only damage the city’s precious architecture but also pose public health risks.

So if you’re dreaming of a selfie with fifty feathered friends in Piazza San Marco, think again. In Venice, feeding pigeons is no longer a charming tradition—it’s a crime.

???? [Source – Venice City Council Ordinance / Reuters]

6. In Canada, It’s Illegal to Scare the Queen

Canada’s criminal code has its share of peculiar entries, but one of the strangest is this: under Section 49, it’s illegal to "alarm Her Majesty" or to intentionally frighten the monarch. The law, written in the early 20th century, was meant to protect the dignity and safety of the reigning sovereign.

While the Queen doesn’t live in Canada full-time, she is still the ceremonial head of state. Technically, startling her on a royal visit could lead to a prison sentence of up to 14 years. And no—there’s no clarification on what counts as a “scare.” Jumping out from behind a curtain? Dressing like a ghost near Buckingham Palace while she’s visiting? Who knows?

In practice, no one has ever been charged under this law. But its continued presence in the criminal code reminds us that royalty comes with odd legal protections, even in modern democracies.

The best advice if you ever see the Queen (or King) in Canada? Wave politely. Don’t startle them. And definitely don’t yell “boo.”

???? [Source – Criminal Code of Canada, Section 49]

7. In the UK, It’s Illegal to Handle a Salmon Suspiciously

According to Section 32 of the Salmon Act 1986, it is illegal in the United Kingdom to “handle salmon in suspicious circumstances.” This isn’t a Monty Python sketch—it’s real British law, and it's still in force.

The legislation was introduced as part of a broader effort to combat salmon poaching and regulate illegal fishing. In practice, the law allows authorities to prosecute anyone found with salmon who can’t explain where it came from, especially if it’s suspected to have been fished or traded unlawfully.

The vague language—“suspicious circumstances”—has earned the law meme status online. How exactly does one look suspicious while holding a fish? Is it a furtive glance at the scales? Whispering to a trout?

While it may sound laughable, the law was designed to protect endangered fish stocks and maintain fair fishing practices. Today, it’s rarely used, but technically, if you’re caught loitering around a riverbank with a dead salmon and a guilty face, you could be in legal trouble.

???? [Source – UK Salmon Act 1986]

8. In Milan, It’s Illegal Not to Smile (Except at Funerals or Hospitals)

Italy is known for its passion, food, and flair—but Milan also expects you to keep smiling… or else. A centuries-old municipal law in the city technically requires residents and visitors to smile at all times while in public spaces.

The only exceptions? Funerals and hospital visits.

The law dates back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, when smiling was associated with good health and civic virtue. Authorities wanted citizens to appear content, orderly, and cooperative, especially during public encounters with officials or soldiers. Though antiquated, the regulation has never been formally repealed, which means it could still theoretically be enforced.

Of course, no one’s going to fine you for looking moody on the metro. But the law has been referenced in civic campaigns aimed at boosting positivity in public. So if you’re frowning in Milan, just remember: your resting grump face could technically be breaking the law—unless you're at a funeral, in which case you're free to scowl.

???? [Source – Local Italian Civic Codes / Urban Legend Verified by Italian Tourism Board]

9. In Japan, It’s Illegal to Be Overweight (Sort Of)

In 2008, Japan introduced what’s colloquially called the “Metabo Law,” requiring companies and local governments to measure the waistlines of citizens aged 40 to 74 during their annual health checkups. Men must not exceed 85 cm (33.5 inches) and women 90 cm (35.4 inches) around the waist.

This isn’t a criminal law—no one is arrested for a few extra inches—but organizations that fail to meet government-mandated health targets can face financial penalties. The law is part of a larger effort to combat rising rates of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of health issues that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Critics argue that the law stigmatizes heavier individuals and oversimplifies health. Supporters point to cultural values of discipline and communal well-being. Either way, it’s one of the only modern examples of legislated body metrics—and it remains controversial to this day.

So technically, in Japan, being “over a certain size” isn’t illegal… but it can cost your employer. And that’s a legal burden that comes with a measuring tape.

???? [Source – Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) / NPR Report]

10. In Longyearbyen, Norway, It’s Illegal to Die

In the remote town of Longyearbyen, located on the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, there’s a peculiar rule: you’re not allowed to die there.

Why? Because the permafrost prevents buried bodies from decomposing. When scientists exhumed remains from victims of the 1918 Spanish Flu, they discovered that the virus was still intact in the preserved corpses. Fearing future outbreaks and sanitation risks, authorities made it illegal to be buried in Longyearbyen.

If you fall terminally ill, you're expected to leave the island and return to the mainland for end-of-life care. While no one can literally stop you from dying, the town takes the regulation seriously. There are no nursing homes, and medical facilities are limited.

It’s one of the few places on Earth where death itself is officially discouraged. The cemetery is closed, the ground is too frozen, and the law aims to protect both the living and the long-dead from unintended consequences of an Arctic afterlife.

???? [Source – Norwegian Government Arctic Health Guidelines / BBC Travel]

⚖️ Conclusion:

These laws may seem laughable, bizarre, or completely detached from reality—but they’re real. And while most go unenforced, they remind us that legal systems are cultural time capsules, shaped by fears, traditions, and sometimes absurd overreactions.

So the next time you’re tempted to sing in a swimsuit, scare a queen, or die in an Arctic town, remember: the law might be watching… and it has a very long memory.