Published under EU blog
While European Union is trying to get closer to the point where the laws in all member states are the same, it possibly won't happen too soon. However, many countries have really stupid laws in place even without the help of EU.
Attempt to escape from prison is not illegal, however, if one he is caught he is required to serve out the remainder of his term. If you have that chance, wouldn't you give it a shot if you knew nothing can worse can happen to you than you just go back and serve your remaining time? (Denmark)
One may not be charged for food at an inn unless that person, by his or her own opinion, is "full".(Denmark)
Restaurants may not charge for water unless it is accompanied by another item such as ice or a lemon slice.(Denmark)
Taxi drivers must pay royalties if they play music in their cars for paying customers. (Finland) Unfortunately, this might soon become an overall trend, considering what's happening in the EU.
It is illegal to be drunk on Licensed Premises (in a pub or bar). (England)
Picking up abandoned baggage is as act of terrorism. (England) So...if I see an abandoned bag and would like to find its owner, I'm not allowed to help a fellow citizen without being accused of terrorism? Sounds great!
Any boy under the age of 10 may not see a naked mannequin.(England)
A bed may not be hung out of a window.(England)
Any person found breaking a boiled egg at the sharp end will be sentenced to 24 hours in the village stock.(England)
It is illegal to be a drunk while in possession of a cow. (Scotland)
If someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your residence, you must let them enter.(Scotland)
You may not fish on Sundays.(Scotland)
It is illegal to kiss on railways in France. (France) I have a feeling this law doesn't really get much attention from the frenchkissers.
Between the hours of 8AM and 8PM, 70% of the music in the radio must be by French composers. (France)
An ashtray is considered to be a deadly weapon. (France)
A man may be arrested for wearing a skirt. (Italy)
Striking someone with a fist is considered a felony. (Italy) I have a feeling Italy is not the only place this law applies. However, with a pun intended, you shouldn't hit (wo)men anyhow.
Blasphemy is prohibited by the constitution and carries a maximum fine of €25,000. (Ireland) I'm glad I'm not based in Ireland, otherwise I might be fined twice every day. Fucking hell.
It is illegal for ones car to run out of gas on a highway. (Germany) Well, this law kind of makes sense, but...to actually have this as a law?
If you forget you car-keys inside the car and you leave the car open, you will be punished. (Switzerland)
It is illegal to produce, store, sell and trade absinth, it is legal to consume it. (Switzerland) God, please throw me bottle!
It is illegal to flush the toilet after 10 PM. (Switzerland) Now the authenticity of this "law" is questionable. But even if it isn't true, there have been such rules set by building owners.
While prostitution is legal, it is illegal to use the services of a prostitute. (Sweden) Now that doesn't make any sense to me at all, does it to you?
It is illegal to sell a doll whose face does not look like the human face. (France)
It is illegal to die in the House of Parliament. The reason is that theoretically, who dies between the walls of the House, must be automatically buried under the royal sign.
The head of any dead whale found on the British coast becomes automatically the propriety of the king. The whale tale is the property of the Queen. (England)
And, just to end it all on a good note, according to the specifications of EU law - what is an island? And island is not an island if it's connected by a bridge, nor is it an island if it is less than 1km from the mainland, it is not an island if it has less than 50 permanent residents or if it contains an EU capital city.
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