Rules That Will Make You Smile
America is home to thousands of laws, many of which have been around for centuries and are enforced at the city or state level. Many of these were enacted a century or two ago, yet they are still remembered and followed today. If you're visiting the USA, it's best to familiarize yourself with 20 of the country's most curious laws! As you can see, many of these laws have a real story behind them, and the restrictions are not just there for no reason.
To delve deeper into American traditions, you can book a tour with us, where you will learn more about the mentality and mindset of the locals, and avoid awkward legal missteps. We invite you to explore the 20 most bizarre laws in the USA so that you don’t get caught off guard!
Top 10 Strange Laws
- 01.Close Your Gates in Wyoming
If you forget to close your gate, you could be fined $750. It's not just about keeping your property private but also about ensuring that livestock graze where they’re supposed to, without straying onto someone else’s land. - 02.Don’t Play Bingo in North Carolina
Bingo is a popular pastime among American seniors, but it's risky business. If you play for more than 5 hours twice a week and win more than $500 per game, expect a fine. - 03.Pronounce ‘Arkansas’ Correctly
In Arkansas, it’s illegal to mispronounce the state's name. You must clearly enunciate all three syllables (with the emphasis on the first) and refrain from pronouncing the last ‘s.’ Interestingly, there’s no punishment for breaking this rule! - 04.Cold Water is a Crime in Indiana
If you manage to quench your thirst with cold, non-carbonated water on a hot day in Indiana, know that you bought it from a lawbreaker. By local law, water should only be sold carbonated and warm, or the seller could face up to six months in jail. - 05.No Sunday Shopping in South Carolina
The maximum you can buy on this day is essential goods. However, residents have long since waved goodbye to this restriction and opened stores on Sundays since the mid-90s. - 06.Don’t Sprinkle Salt on Alabama Railroad Tracks
This offense is punishable by death. But it's not as easy as it sounds — you would need to sprinkle 36 meters of track with salt. The reason for the ban is intriguing: spilled salt attracts livestock, causing them to block the tracks and derail trains. - 07.Choose Your Pet Wisely in Florida
The law in one Florida city divides cats and dogs into "good" and "bad." And heaven forbid you buy a "bad" one — you’ll face countless fines. - 08.Prayer Can Save You in Indiana
In the U.S., failing to pay medical bills is a crime. If you don't pay for your child's treatment, the punishment is even more severe. But in Indiana, there's a loophole: you can avoid paying and stay out of trouble if you can prove in court that you prayed for your child's health. - 09.No Ice Cream in Your Back Pocket on Sundays in Alabama
In days gone by, if you placed ice cream in your back pocket, someone else’s horse might follow you home, and you could not be blamed for the theft. So residents introduced this law, with the caveat that it only applies on Sundays. - 10.Don’t Die from a Hair Perm in Florida
Ladies, if you decide to curl your hair in the bath using a hairdryer or curling iron and die from electrocution, you’ll still have to pay a fine.
More Ridiculous American Laws
- 01.No Nuclear Bombs in California
If a nuclear device explodes within city limits due to your negligence, you’ll be fined $500. - 02.Be Careful with Strangers in New York
Don’t stare at women on the street — it’s a punishable offense. And don’t even think about talking to strangers in the elevator, or a vigilant citizen might take you to court. - 03.Don’t Snore with Open Windows in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law forbids snoring with open windows, supposedly to prevent public disturbances, but its absurdity is laughable. - 04.No Camels on Nevada Highways
There’s a law in Nevada that bans riding camels on highways. This rule dates back to when camels were used as a mode of transportation in desert regions. - 05.Men Can’t Carry Pliers in Texas
You might just steal a cow. - 06.No Fishing in Pajamas in Chicago
The city ordinance states that this disrupts public order and makes it hard to identify anglers. - 07.You Have the Right to Drive a Tank in Any State
As long as it has rubber tires, mirrors, and headlights. - 08.No Exercising While Driving in Oregon
Although it may seem silly, this law serves as a reminder of the importance of focus and responsibility while driving. - 09.No Tickling Girls’ Chins with a Broom in Maine
Despite its apparent absurdity, this law reminds us that even the most unusual rules can have serious cultural and historical reasons. - 10.Don’t Put a Violin in a Paper Bag in Utah
According to an old and eccentric state law, this act can be interpreted as an attempt to perform street music without a license.
These strange and ridiculous laws in the USA are part of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Although most have lost their relevance, they still exist on the books, reminding us that legislation can also be comical. When planning your trip to America, don’t forget to ask the locals if they know of any strange laws in their state — you might discover another surprising fact for your collection!
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