America, known as the land of the free and home to the brave, is famous worldwide for various things. Be it the culture, community, people, or simply landmarks, this country is one of the largest in the world and has everything you could possibly dream of.
The United States of America may be one of the most powerful countries in the world, but there is more to it than just military and economic strength. Another thing that America has in abundance is the many, many laws and rules. But here's the catch - while there may be various laws in place that are essential for the smooth running of the country, some of them are absurd, ridiculous, and WEIRD! Some of these laws are so weird you won't even believe they're true. So, we suggest you buckle up and look at 15 of the most weird laws in the US because we're sure you won't be able to stop reading!
15 Of The Most Weird Laws In The US
Most of the weird laws in the US have been discontinued or aren't implemented anymore around the country. However, some of the most weird laws in the US still prevail due to historical relevance or customs. These laws, as unbelievable as they may seem, must still be followed and obeyed by the citizens of the United States. So, let's look at some of the most weird laws in the US that will make you go, "HUH?"
1. No Blindfolds in Alabama
At first glance, this law may seem pretty obvious, right? You may be wrong if you went straight for the obviousness of this law. Alabama prohibits citizens from driving a vehicle while they are blindfolded. In fact, this law has been passed as part of a broader law that means no obstruction should be in your way while driving.
2. No masks Georgia
Another one of the weird laws in the US is that Georgia doesn't allow its citizens to wear anything on their faces that may conceal their identity. Unless there are global emergencies, such as pandemics, you won't be allowed to wear a mask in Georgia. For the Covid-19 outbreak, however, an exception was made.
3. Beware of Halloween on a Sunday in Delaware
Halloween is best known for the "trick or treating" tradition, right? If Halloween falls on a Sunday, you won't be allowed to trick or treat. You will, however, be allowed to go on the 30th of October instead. The reason behind this weird law in the US is that a bill was passed in 1971 that emphasized children dressing up as ghosts or goblins on the "Sabbath", a day of religious observance for Christians and Jews, as inappropriate. Absurd, right?
4. No surprise pizza in Louisana
Who wouldn't want to be surprised with a pizza? Apparently, in Louisiana, citizens are not allowed to send food or beverages unsolicited to their loved ones without consent, according to a law passed in 2016. This weird law in the US was passed due to several prank calls that were made with the intent to harass people in the middle of the night.
5. No fake moustaches in Alabama
We can barely contain our laughter when it comes to this law. In Alabama, you won't be allowed to wear a fake moustache, especially to church, as this would cause those in attendance to laugh. The law was passed in the 1800s and is still implemented in a few places. So, think again about attending church with your fake moustache!
6. Don't eat frogs in California
This is one of the most weird laws in the US. Interestingly, you cannot eat a frog participating in the "frog-jumping" competition. Frog-jumping contests are very popular in the United States, and if you like eating frogs, make sure you don't eat one that was a participant in the contest.
7. The Cane Law in Idaho
This one may sound weird, but it is useful. In Idaho, using a red or white can is considered illegal, as those colours are reserved for fully or partially blind people. This law can particularly help in identifying people who are blind on the streets and could potentially avoid incidents as well.
8. Catching fish with hands
Oh, Fish! You may be interested to know that if you are a resident of Indiana, you won't be allowed to catch a fish with your bare hands. You won't even be allowed to use nets, dynamites, or other explosives. So, if you find fishing peaceful, ensure you're using a fishing rod ONLY.
9. Eavesdropping in Oregon
Have you ever overheard something you should not? That may just land you in trouble if you're in Oregon. According to the laws, you could be charged with a misdemeanour if caught eavesdropping in Oregon. We suggest having a pair of earphones handy to avoid getting caught in this weird law!
10. Don’t conceal your appearance in North Carolina
North Carolina prohibits citizens from wearing a mask, hood, or costume during meetings. Weird, right? What would we do for a Comicon meeting, then?
11. Don't sleep on sidewalks in Nevada!
Have you ever eaten so much that you feel like lying down for a minute? Don't think about doing that in Reno, Nevada, as it might land you in jail. According to the law, you can't "sit or lie down upon a public sidewalk, or a blanket, chair, stool, or any other object placed upon a public sidewalk in the Downtown Reno Regional Center."
11. Limited Bingo in Minnesota
Who doesn't love a quick game of Bingo now and then? However, Minnesota laws won't let you play the game more than twice a week. Can't let things get out of control, can we?
12. Indiana Pi
This one's for all the math lovers! We all know the universal value of Pi is 3.1416, but Indiana passed a law in 1897 changing the value to just 3.2. However, after a mathemetician intervened, the law was never passed or implemented.
13. The Beauty of Hawaii
One of the most weird laws in the US is the law of not having any billboards in Hawaii. Having billboards in the area may ruin or obstruct the scenery of Hawaii, and so it had been deemed illegal to put any up. Great dedication, right?
14. Gainesville Fried Chicken
This is one of our most favourite weird laws in the US! The poultry capital of the world, Gainesville in Georgia, has made it illegal to eat fried chicken with a fork! The law was passed in 1961 and was implemented as a publicity stunt to promote the poultry business in the city. We love this law as much as we love fried chicken!
Now that we have shown you the most weird laws in the US, we hope you found our blog as entertaining as we did writing it. Some laws are strictly enforced in American states, and some are just widely known. However, these laws prove that just like any other country in the world, the United States of America also have their fair share of weirdness attached to it, making the country all the more exciting. So, if you ever plan on moving to the United States, we hope you never have to deal with getting stuck with these weird laws in the US.