Crazy Laws You Should Know Before You Go Away

Travelling is an awesome experience, but it is important to know what you can, and you cannot do in different cities around the World. If you are planning your next holiday, first, read this article to ensure you are in the know.

Venice - Feeding the pigeons

In Venice's Piazza San Marco, there are thousands of pigeons; many people think it is okay to feed them. Venice has banned feeding the city's massive pigeon population and the practice is punishable by a fine! This is because the pigeon’s damage statues and a lot of cleaning up is required after them.

If you want to stay on the city’s good side and avoid doing something illegal; you can opt for a delicious Aperitivo at Piazza San Marco and watch the birds moving and flying around instead. That sounds much more appealing anyway!

Las Vegas – Buy bottled water on the street

If you feel thirsty in Las Vegas, make sure that the water you buy is permitted. Peddlers on the streets are banned from selling water and other wares unless they have a valid business license to do so. According to Las Vegas news channel 8 News NOW, the police are investigating peddlers as "they have seen used bottles repackaged and resold with tap water to thirsty tourists”.

Paris and Madrid – Metro ticket

Don’t throw away your Metro ticket until you leave the tube! If you drop it or throw it away you could face a fine. In cities like Madrid and Paris, there are posters detailing the warnings of throwing away your tickets, this is to remind the tube users to keep the ticket until they leave the tube.

The Metro police can stop passengers at any time to show their ticket, if they do not have a valid ticket they would be unable to exit the station without paying a fine. This is because the tube users may need that ticket to exit the underground or to prove they didn't hop a turnstile.

Singapore - Taking gum

Since 1992 the import of chewing/bubble gum has been illegal in Singapore. This law is due to the damage caused to the public transit system. Your gum may seem inoffensive, but the Singapore Government have found that it can costing up to $106,000 per year cleaning up gum! Those caught importing or selling gum can be punished with a fine or even the jail.

India - Gambling

It may seem strange to you but playing cards outside is illegal in India. This rule is because in the majority of India, gambling has been banned. Playing cards for money could be considered a form of gambling. If you play an inoffensive game as Black Jack or Poker while visiting India, make sure that there is not any money or anything that could be a substituted for a currency, - like poker chips. The game could cost you a big fine or up to three months in jail.

Some cities – Using Airbnb

Nowadays, Airbnb is so popular, and everybody is using the services around the world, however, Airbnb is illegal in some cities such as New York, Santa Monica or Paris. The Airbnb hosts need to have permits to host travellers; which means Airbnb availability would be low or virtually non-existent.

Barcelona – Going out beach ready

Leaving the beach in your swimwear is illegal in the Spanish city and you could face a fine as well as lots of looks from offended locals. Please ensure you cover up before you leave the beach, even if it's not one of the nude ones!

Barbados – Wearing camouflage

If you are not a member of the military, you are not allowed to wear camouflage in Barbados. This ban started in the 1980s to prevent gang member from impersonating soldiers and robbing people. This should not be a much problem nowadays, but the law remains, and offenders can be fined.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai – Kissing

If you go to the United Arab Emirates and you want to kiss your partner in a public place, don’t do it! The nation’s public decency laws do not agree with kissing or touching you are significant in public. This can land you in jail or facing hefty fines. Please make sure you remember to keep your hands and lips to yourself while exploring Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

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