The British media recently collected the "20 strangest laws in the world", such as illegal flushing toilets after 10 p.m. in Switzerland, illegal to feed elk in Alaska, USA, and illegal to swear in the United Arab Emirates. In some countries, violations of these "strange laws" can result in hefty fines or even imprisonment.
It is illegal to flush toilets after 10pm in Switzerland.
1. It is illegal to flush the toilet after 10pm in Switzerland.
In Switzerland, flushing toilets in apartment buildings after 10 p.m. is illegal because the government considers it noise pollution.
Landlords usually rule that residents are not allowed to flush toilets between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., as this may disturb neighbors.
Alaskan Elk.
2. It is illegal to give alcohol to elk in Alaska.
It is illegal to give alcohol to elk. Elk can become aggressive if they drink alcohol or eat fermented fruit.
3. It is illegal to ride a bull while drunk in Scotland.
Under the Licensing Act 1872, it is an offence in Scotland to be drunk in charge of cattle and horses, which means that riding a bull while intoxicated is prohibited.
Drunk bull riding can be jailed for up to 51 weeks if found guilty.
4. Swearing is illegal in the UAE.
In the UAE, if a person is caught swearing, they can face fines, imprisonment, or deportation.
The country's penal code states that "swearing disgraces a person's honor or dignity".
This law doesn't just cover spoken language, it also extends to text messages and social media, including "indecent" emojis.
5. It is illegal to fart in a public place after 6 p.m. in Florida, USA.
In Florida, farting in a public place after 6 p.m. is illegal because it is considered a public nuisance. However, it is unclear exactly how the law will be enforced.
6. It is illegal to build sandcastles on some beaches in Spain.
In some parts of Spain, it is illegal for children and adults to build sandcastles on beaches.
In 2016, Benidorm City Hall voted to ban sandcastle building on Levante Beach. If you are caught building sandcastles, you could face fines of up to €150 (£130).
The same rules apply to Arona and Arica in Tenerife, where the public needs to apply for a municipal permit before building a sandcastle.
7. In Barcelona, it is illegal for women to wear bikinis or men to be topless.
Officials introduced a ban on the public wearing swimsuits on Barcelona's streets in 2011 as they became frustrated by the many tourists in bikinis or shirtless walking around restaurants and shops.
Walking on the streets of the city wearing only swimwear can result in a £250 fine.
8. It is illegal to set off fireworks in Norway except for new Chinese New Year's Eve.
Under Norwegian law, it is illegal to set off fireworks at any other time except the new Chinese New Year's Eve on January 1 every year from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Norway also has strict legal regulations on when and where the public can buy fireworks, and they can only buy them within a few days before the new Chinese New Year's Eve.
In Turin, Italy, dog owners must walk their dogs at least three times a day.
9. In Turin, Italy, dog owners must walk their dogs at least three times a day.
According to a law by the Italian Turin City Council, dog owners who do not walk their dogs at least three times a day will be fined up to 500 euros.
Italians who are found guilty of abusing or abandoning pets can be fined up to 10,000 euros and spend a year in prison.
Russia bans stores from selling women's lace underwear.
10. Russia prohibits stores from selling women's lace underwear.
According to regulations introduced in 2014, lace underwear is practically banned in Russia.
The Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan has introduced a regulation requiring clothing to contain at least 6% cotton for "health and safety" reasons.
Underwear that does not meet this requirement, including lace underwear, cannot be sold in these countries. The production and import of such underwear has also ceased.
In La Paz, Bolivia, it is illegal for a married woman to drink more than one drink in a restaurant.
The law was reportedly created to prevent women from being "morally and sexually lax" under the influence of alcohol and flirting with other men. The law does not apply to married men.
Norway prohibits mowing the lawn on Sundays.
12. Mormon mowing on Sundays is prohibited in Norway.
In Norway, Sunday is a day off, and by law, no activity that makes loud noises is allowed, which also includes mowing the lawn.
13. It is illegal to litter in Singapore.
First-time offenders can be fined S$1,000 (£640) and repeat offenders can be fined S$2,000 (£1,241) and must do community work.
By law, litterers must spend hours cleaning public places, such as public parks, while wearing bright coats. Sometimes, local media are invited to cover the event.
Being overweight is illegal in Japan.
14. Being overweight is illegal in Japan.
In addition to sumo wrestlers, in Japan there is a fine if the waist circumference is too large, which is an attempt by the state to slim down citizens.
By law, people between the ages of 40 and 74 will have their waist circumference measured according to the limits set by the state: 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women.
Those who exceed government limits can face fines.
15. It is illegal to neuter a dog in Norway.
Norwegian law makes it illegal for pet owners to sterilize dogs without a good medical reason.
Veterinarians in the country do not neuter pets unless there is a cause, such as a tumor of the reproductive organs. As part of the Animal Welfare Act, the Act states that no animal can be neutered except for medical reasons.
Regular sterilization is also illegal in Norway, meaning that the dog is implanted with a hormone that acts as a chemical neuter.
16. In Georgia, it is illegal for domestic chickens to cross the road.
Georgian city of Quitman law states that owners must control their chickens at all times, and it is illegal to let them cross the road.
17. In Thailand, it is illegal to leave home without underwear and underwear.
It is illegal in Thailand to leave home without wearing any underwear and panties, which is part of the law on indecent behavior in public places. It's unclear how police enforce the law.
18. It is illegal to eat or drink alcohol on public transport in the UAE.
In the UAE, eating and drinking are prohibited on all forms of public transport, as well as at stations.
If you are caught on a train or bus, you will be fined £21 (AED 100).
19. Spit in public is illegal in Singapore.
In Singapore, people caught spitting in public places are fined S$1,000 (£640) for the first time.
If caught a second time, you can be fined S$2,000 (£1,241).
For the third and subsequent offences, fines of up to S$5,000 (£3,100) can be imposed.
20. In France, kissing on the train platform is prohibited.
This law was introduced in 1910 in an attempt to avoid train delays and overcrowding at stations.
But since 1910, the law has become more lenient, and people today do not face formal penalties.
Text/Nandu reporter Chen Lin