Explore our verified collection of weird laws from around the world
Generations of Texans have grown up believing it is illegal to pick the state flower, the bluebonnet — but no such law exists. The Texas State Law Library, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Snopes have all confirmed this is a persistent folk myth.
Despite widespread belief, card counting is not illegal under any federal or state law in the United States. Casinos can — and do — ban counters from their private premises, but no law criminalizes the mental skill itself.
Despite being one of the most widely believed driving myths in America, it is perfectly legal to drive barefoot in all 50 U.S. states. No federal statute, state traffic code, or DMV regulation bans shoeless driving of a passenger vehicle.
The claim that collecting or storing rainwater is illegal in Australia is completely false. In reality, rainwater harvesting is legal across all Australian states and territories, actively encouraged by federal and state governments, and even mandatory for new homes in South Australia.
A widely circulated claim holds that Hungarian law requires employers to provide free garlic to their employees at work. No such law exists in any Hungarian statute, regulation, or decree.
A circulating claim alleges that photographing a sunset in Greece requires a permit from the local municipality. No such law exists — Greek law explicitly permits photography in public open-air spaces without a permit.
The claim that Paraguayan law requires employers to provide workers with free yerba mate (or tereré) during work hours is a myth. No such provision exists anywhere in Paraguay's Labour Code (Law No. 213/93) or any other national labor legislation.
The claim that Johannesburg has a municipal bylaw making it illegal to use more than a certain number of plastic bags per shopping transaction is false. No such law exists at any level of South African government.
A widely circulated claim holds that Lebanon prohibits parents from naming a child after a political party or figure without government approval. No such law exists in Lebanese civil registration statutes.
The claim that Croatian employers are legally required to give workers paid leave on their birthday is false. No such provision exists in the Croatian Labour Act (Zakon o radu) or any other national employment legislation.
The claim that Slovak law requires employers to provide employees with free onions and garlic to prevent workplace illness is false. No such provision exists anywhere in Slovakia's Labour Code or related occupational health legislation.
The claim that Australia has a national law requiring all swimming pools to employ a certified lifeguard during operating hours — with fines over AUD $10,000 for violations — is false. No such federal statute exists; pool safety law in Australia is state-based and primarily covers fencing and barriers, not mandatory lifeguard staffing.
