Laws that make you smile

Nice or funny laws from around the world

In Pocatello (US) it is illegal not to smile in public.

In 1948, George Phillips, the Mayor of the City of Pocatello, passed a rule making it illegal not to smile in Pocatello. The "Smile Ordinance" was approved because of an exceptionally severe winter, which had worsened the spirit of local people.

In Switzerland it is illegal to ski down a mountain while reciting poetry.

In Texas, a recently passed anticrime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed.

In Utah, it's illegal NOT to drink milk.

In Saudi Arabia it's illegal to possess any type of alcoholic drink.

In Wyoming (US) it's illegal to wear a hat that obstructs other people’s view in a theatre or another entertainment venue.

In Belgium it is perfectly legal to throw brussel sprouts at tourists.

In Utah (US) birds have the right of way on highways.

In Sun Prairie (US) it's illegal to ride a bike with your hands not holding the bike handlebar.

In Wales(UK) every child born in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch must be able to spell their town name by the age of 6 and be able to pronounce it by the age of 34.

In Switzerland it is against the law for any person to unilaterally declare war on another country.

In Wyoming (US) making love in a freezer is legally banned.

In Singapore if you are convicted of littering three times, you’ll be punished by a corrective work order and you'll have to pay a large fine.

In Scotland trespassing on someone else's land is LEGAL. (the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 which established universal access rights to most land and inland water.)

In Washington, DC (US)Santa Claus is not allowed to sell alcohol.

In Israel picking your nose on Saturday is forbidden.

In Malaysia, it is illegal to grow flowers in flower pots. Everyone should instead grow vegetables in pots.

In Saudi Arabia being poor is against the law. Any man not earning a "reasonable" income can be imprisoned.

In Denmark, before starting your car you must check brakes, lights, steering and honk your horn. You are also required to do a visual check to make sure there are no children sleeping under your vehicle.

In Wisconsin (US) it's illegal to give a permanent tattoo to anyone under the age of 18.

In Brazil, a spelling error on a billboard is punishable with a R$500 fine.

In Wyoming (US) fishing with firearms of any kind is illegal.

In Belgium every pub is only allowed to sell less than 25% of non-Belgian beer.

In Antwerp, Belgium no-one can wear a red hat when walking on the main street.

In Bangladesh you are not allowed to call any person over the age of 32 a "virgin" in case she becomes offended.

In Salem (US) it was illegal to leave home without a clear idea about where you were going.

In Washington, DC (US)you are not allowed to dance for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour time span.

In Argentina disk jockeys have to play as many tango tunes as all other kinds of music altogether.

In Wyoming (US) all buildings costing more then $100,000 to build, are required to spend 1% of their cost on artwork.

In Wyoming (US) you are legally not allowed to ski while being drunk.

In Wisconsin (US) prisoners are not allowed to eat margarine instead of butter.

In Poland it was illegal to serve hotdogs in kindergartens.

In La Crosse (US) you are not allowed to tease or annoy a squirrel.

In Sun Prairie (US) it's not allowed to produce nuclear weapons within the city boundaries.

In Salem (US) it was illegal to leave home without a clear idea about where you were going.

In Washington, DC (US) in school you are not allowed to wear: sunglasses, hats, clothes that show armpits, a bare back or midriff. You also cannot wear see-through clothes or accessories with metal spikes.

In West Virginia (US) children are not allowed to go to school with onion breath.

In Alderson (US) you are not allowed to take your lion, tiger or leopard for a walk, even on a leash.

In West Virginia (US) no-one is allowed to whistle underwater.