The world is full of laws and regulations, many of which are now outdated. Some rules that still exist should be a distant memory, while others seemingly should never have been put into place. These 19 absurd rules that somehow still exist are hard to believe.
Adultery
It’s a common agreement that adultery is morally wrong, but in many states, it’s part of the law. When religion had a heavier influence on legislation, it was agreed in many US states that adultery should be illegal. This has never been changed, and even in New York, it’s a Class B misdemeanor.
Cursing in public
Multiple places worldwide ban cursing in public, but it’s particularly common in the US. In Virginia, you could receive a $250 fine for using foul language in public. This may sound strange to foreigners, but Canada, Australia, and India also ban obscenities in public places.
Honking your car horn outside a cafe
Many places have time restrictions on when exactly you can honk your horn, but Little Rock, Arkansas, has one of the most random. According to Car and Drive, local legislation states it is illegal to sound your horn outside any place that serves drinks or sandwiches after 9 pm!
Spitting on the sidewalk
Spitting on the sidewalk is an undeniably disgusting habit. However, in Massachusetts, it’s against the law. If you’re caught spitting on the sidewalk, you could receive a $20 fine, and why many consider this rule to be absurd, we’re happy to see it sticking around.
A ban on window puppet shows
The streets of Manhattan are renowned for being crowded, and a New York City law designed to restrict additional congestion exists, but it’s not what you might expect. Anyone performing puppetry from an NYC window could receive a jail sentence of up to 30 days, as they encourage street loitering. Random!
Upholstered porch furniture
Your porch is the perfect place to sit and relax, but if you were to put upholstered furniture on your porch in the University Hill neighborhood of Boulder, Colorado, you might receive a hefty fine. The university students here have a history of arson, so this law is meant to curb this behavior.
Beating a carpet on the street
Heading over the pond, in London, it’s illegal to beat a carpet on the street after 8 am. Legislation.gov.uk states this has been part of the Metropolitan Police Act since 1839. Although this random UK law is now pretty much irrelevant and outdated, it has never been repealed.
Blasphemy
There are many states across the US where blasphemy is still against the law. In a time when religion played a huge role in law-making, punishment for blasphemy was common. However, many states have not amended their legislation, and this remains a rule in some places.
Keeping medication in a different bottle
If you live in Maine, you could be committing a crime if your medication is stored differently from the prescription bottle or pill packet it came in. Maine State Legislation requires accurate labeling for all prescription medications. We can understand the logic here, but making it a crime seems excessive!
Burning a CD for your friends
While CD piracy laws existed once upon a time, they’re pretty outdated these days. Burning a CD and making copies for your friends is an infringement of copyright law in the US, and to this day, you can still receive a $250,000 fine for doing it!
Swearing at sports officials
You’ve probably noticed that Massachusetts has some particularly unusual rules, and here’s another one: swearing at sports officials is forbidden. Swearing at either players or officials could result in a $50 fine, although it is rarely enforced, and sports games can still get pretty heated.
Eavesdropping on conversations
We all love to eavesdrop on conversations occasionally, but in Oklahoma, it could get you in trouble. You can be fined for loitering around a building with the sole intent of overhearing a conversation, and it’s also illegal to spread rumors based on what you’ve heard.
Wrestling a bear
Another random Oklahoma law is that it’s illegal to wrestle a bear. Despite this being one of the most unlikely things for people to engage in, it was actually happening regularly at one point, so the state felt a need to step in. How bizarre!
Sharing streaming services
We all share streaming accounts, and while there is no federal rule law banning password sharing, there are some restrictions. In Tennessee, sharing a password for your streaming services is forbidden. CNET reports that in 2023, Netflix cracked down on password sharing, which didn’t really affect people from Tennessee!
Unlicensed bingo
In North Carolina, bingo games are highly regulated. You can only host bingo if you are a non-profit organization and have a Charitable Bingo License. You can also only host a maximum of two games per week, and there must be at least 48 hours between them.
Using a cafe’s wifi from your car
The United States Department of Justice says that it’s illegal to use a network without authorization under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. This extends to using a cafe’s Wi-Fi without entering the cafe; in 2007, a man was fined $400 and given 40 hours of community service just for doing exactly that!
Blindfolded driving
It is a common driving rule that your vision should not be obstructed, but Alabama has exceptional clarity around this. The state’s visibility requirements forbid driving with a blindfold on. It may seem like common sense, but Alabama makes sure it is crystal clear.
Bathrobe driving
Another absurd driving rule is the prohibition of driving in a bathrobe in California. You could be fined if you are caught driving in the state while wearing a bathrobe, assumedly in case it gets caught up in your car’s pedals. It’s certainly absurd, but it makes sense.
Eating fried chicken with a knife and fork
Finally, possibly the most absurd rule on the list is from Gainesville, Georgia, where you could be arrested for trying to eat fried chicken with a knife and fork. A law that began as a publicity stunt in 1961, it is not technically official legislation but you could still be arrested for it.
Up Next: 20 Personal Things You Should Never Share With Others
Building meaningful connections with others requires a certain level of transparency and trust, but that doesn’t mean you have to tell your friends and family members everything! Some aspects of our lives are too personal, incriminating, or risky to share. This article explores 20 aspects of your personal life that you should always keep confidential.
20 Personal Things You Should Never Share With Others
18 Things Everyone Forgets to Include in Their Will—But Shouldn’t
Wills and estate plans are essential ways to ensure what will happen to your belongings and property when you die or are incapacitated. However, people often forget to include important information in their wills before it’s too late, complicating matters for their descendants. Here are the 18 common things people forget to include in their will.
18 Things Everyone Forgets to Include in Their Will—But Shouldn’t
18 Items at Walmart that Aren’t Worth Your Hard-Earned Money
For many of us, Walmart is the go-to superstore. Whether we need groceries, clothing, or technology, Walmart is a one-stop shop for everything you would need. However, there are some Walmart products you should avoid at all costs, such as the following 18 examples.
18 ITEMS AT WALMART THAT AREN’T WORTH YOUR HARD-EARNED MONEY