Traveling can be a freeing
experience but that doesn't necessarily mean you're free to do whatever you
want. Tourists often find themselves in hot water with locals or law
enforcement for being ignorant of laws or cultural norms.
At best, this can be embarrassing.
At worst, illegal. Switching into relaxation mode is essential for most
vacations, but don't let it make you blind to some crucial information about
your destination. Here are a few weird laws to watch out for.
- 1 Feeding the Pigeons in Venice
Throwing
birdseed in Piazza San Marco may seem like an innocent pastime, but Venice has
banned feeding the city's massive pigeon population. Some people do still feed
the birds, but the practice is punishable by a fine since the pigeons damage
statues and require cleanup.
- 2 Taking Gum to Singapore
The
import of chewing gum has been illegal in Singapore since 1992 due to the
damage it caused to the public transit system. While your bubblegum may seem
harmless, Singapore's government says the nation spent $106,000 (US) per year
cleaning up gum litter and damage before the ban, and can punish those caught
importing or selling gum with a fine or even jail time.
Some gum is now permitted for "therapeutic" purposes, i.e. nicotine gum and sugar-free gum with dental health benefits, but sugary bubble gum is still a no-go.
Some gum is now permitted for "therapeutic" purposes, i.e. nicotine gum and sugar-free gum with dental health benefits, but sugary bubble gum is still a no-go.
- 3 Bringing Dirty Magazines and Alcohol to the Maldives
A
primarily Islamic country, many people think the Maldives bans bringing in
non-Muslim religious material like the Bible. This isn't true: Only religious
icons like statuettes are banned by customs.
But the country does impose a ban on pornographic materials and alcohol. That includes sex toys and liquor sold duty-free past airport security, so leave those items behind unless you want to risk an embarrassing bag search and possible fine.
But the country does impose a ban on pornographic materials and alcohol. That includes sex toys and liquor sold duty-free past airport security, so leave those items behind unless you want to risk an embarrassing bag search and possible fine.
- 4 Gambling in India
Gambling
is banned in India and playing cards for money could be considered a form of
gambling.
If you come across or engage in a harmless game of cards while visiting, be sure not to wager any money or anything that could be a stand-in for currency, like marked poker chips. The game could cost you a hefty fine or up to three months of jail time.
If you come across or engage in a harmless game of cards while visiting, be sure not to wager any money or anything that could be a stand-in for currency, like marked poker chips. The game could cost you a hefty fine or up to three months of jail time.
- 5 Having Drugs in Southeast Asia
Southeast
Asian countries like Bali, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines have
notoriously harsh drug laws. This is likely due to trafficking problems that
come from the Golden Triangle, an area bordering Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar
that produces the world's largest amounts of illegal opiate drugs.
Tourists have famously fallen victim to these laws whether they're carrying drugs intentionally or accidentally. Avoid unknowingly becoming a drug mule and never purposely travel with illegal substances.
Tourists have famously fallen victim to these laws whether they're carrying drugs intentionally or accidentally. Avoid unknowingly becoming a drug mule and never purposely travel with illegal substances.
- 6 Tossing Out Your Metro Ticket in Cities Like Paris and Madrid
The
consequences for throwing out a metro ticket in some cities prove that
ignorance truly isn't an excuse to get out of breaking the law. Tourists—especially
those who don’t speak the local language and can't read posted
warnings—sometimes report finding themselves ambushed by Metro police and
unable to exit public transit stations without paying a fine. Why? Because they
threw out the single-trip ticket that gained them access, thinking they
wouldn’t need it to exit the underground. While that little ticket may seem
useless after it gains you access to the train, you may need it to exit or to
prove you didn't hop a turnstile.
To prevent this debacle from happening, buy a weekend-long metro card or a multi-trip ticket rather than the single-use ticket. The exit fine for not keeping or losing your single-trip slip could break your budget if you're busted.
To prevent this debacle from happening, buy a weekend-long metro card or a multi-trip ticket rather than the single-use ticket. The exit fine for not keeping or losing your single-trip slip could break your budget if you're busted.
- 7 Dissing the Government in China
China
is a beautiful destination with an incredibly rich history, and it also has a
government that differs greatly from many Western nations in terms of privacy
and public knowledge. A group of South African, British, and Indian nationals
were recently arrested and then deported from China, accused of having
"terror links." The tourists, however, said they were arrested for
watching a documentary about Genghis Kahn, the conqueror who led the Mongol
invasion of China in the 1200s. The Chinese government called the video the
tourists watched in their lodging "propaganda" and arrested all of
them.
- 8 Expecting to Use Airbnb in Some Cities
Traveling
at the last minute is often a fun, worthwhile adventure if you find the perfect
airfare option for a steal. But don't depend on readily accessible last-minute
lodging, especially if you're on a budget.
Airbnb is largely illegal in some cities, including New York, Santa Monica, and Paris. Hosts need to have permits to host travelers in these places, which means Airbnb availability could be low or virtually non-existent. Look at your options ahead of time, even if it's the day before your arrival. If you're really in a pinch, you can take advantage of super quick hotel options like Hotel Tonight, an app that fills still-vacant hotel rooms at the last minute. It's important to have a back-up plan.
Airbnb is largely illegal in some cities, including New York, Santa Monica, and Paris. Hosts need to have permits to host travelers in these places, which means Airbnb availability could be low or virtually non-existent. Look at your options ahead of time, even if it's the day before your arrival. If you're really in a pinch, you can take advantage of super quick hotel options like Hotel Tonight, an app that fills still-vacant hotel rooms at the last minute. It's important to have a back-up plan.
- 9 Wearing Camouflage in Barbados
Only
members of the military are permitted to wear camouflage in Barbados. The ban
was enacted in the 1980s to prevent gang members from impersonating soldiers
and robbing people. That's not as much of a problem these days, but the law
still remains and offenders can be fined.
- 10 Kissing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Tourists
visiting the United Arab Emirates should be aware that the nation's public
decency laws differ greatly from those of Western countries. Publicly kissing
and/or touching your significant other can land you in jail. Hefty fines can
also be imposed, so make sure you remember to keep your hands and lips to
yourself while exploring Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
- 11 Going Out Beach-Ready in Barcelona
While
Barcelona is home to two nude beaches the city itself doesn't share the lax
decency rules of even a standard public beach. Going in public wearing only a
bathing suit—bikini or swim trunks—is illegal in the Spanish city, and could
result in a fine as well as lots of looks from offended locals. Make sure to
cover up before you leave the beach, even if it's not one of the nude ones.
Photos: Thinkstock, iStock
edited from The Huffington Post
