A Black Girls Guide to
Laws Around the World

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When you're hitting the road and exploring new places, it's super important to get the 411 on the local laws of your destination. You know, different spots have their own rules and what's cool back home might not fly somewhere else. Running into legal drama because you didn't know the law is a real buzzkill – we're talking fines, or worse, getting locked up.

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Understanding these laws is also about showing respect. They reflect what's important to the folks living there. By sticking to the rules, you're saying, "I get you, and I respect your home." Plus, it's a great way to blend in and really connect with the local scene.

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Safety's another biggie. Knowing what's up with the laws helps you steer clear of risky situations. And when you're planning your trip, some laws might straight-up affect what you do – like what you can bring into the country, or driving rules if you're thinking of renting a whip.

Also, let's talk about avoiding those tourist traps and scams. When you know the local legal deal, it's harder for someone to play you for a fool. And let's not forget about taking care of the place you're visiting. Some laws are there to protect the environment and keep everyone healthy, like rules about littering or smoking.

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Lastly, being clued up on local laws helps you travel responsibly. It's about making choices that are not just legal, but also right by the people and the place you're visiting. So, in a nutshell, getting to know the laws before you travel is key to having a smooth, respectful, and enjoyable trip.

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Below ia a list/guide of laws in various countries, plus do's and don't that will help keep you out ot trouble when traveling.

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Australia

- Getting drunk in public or in a pub is an offence. No matter what age you are, you will face a fine of $200 for breaking the law or a maximum fine of $2,000.

 

- The Summary Offences Act of 1966 deems it illegal to be heard by someone singing an obscene song.

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- Melbourne, it is against the law to vacuum between 10pm and 7am during weekdays, and 10pm and 9am during weekends. Air BnB renters make note.

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Bali

 - Prohibited from using harsh words.

 - Behaving impolitely, making noise

- Acting aggressively, directly and indirectly through social media.

- The spreading of hate speech and false information is also strictly prohibited.

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Bhutan

It is illegal to bring tobacco into the country. In an effort to keep mountain air pure, the country has enacted one of the harshest anti-tobacco laws in the world, as you can neither smoke nor sell cigarettes there.

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Bolivia
Married women can only have one glass of wine. The law is due to the belief that alcohol may make a woman more immoral. A husband could actually divorce his wife if she is drinking in public!

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Cameroon

Wear garments that are "too tight" are banned

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No person shall make or cause or allow to be made or continued any noise which disturbs or annoys a person, including any loud outcry, clamour, shouting, movement, music or activity,"states the by law

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/taber-bylaw-bans-public-swearing-spitting-and-yelling-in-alberta-town-1.2988992

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Denmark
No covering your face in public spaces. This includes masks, helmets, scarves, hats, fake beards and even burkas.

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Dubai

- In the UAE city of Dubai, public image is taken very seriously. The government considers dirty cars to be a blight on the city's reputation. Not only are dirty cars routinely towed and their owners fined, you can even get in trouble for washing your car the wrong way.

 

- Cybercrime and privacy laws criminalises photographing people without permission, whether in public or private and copying, saving or sharing these pictures on social media. Be extra careful not to take pictures of women and children. You also cannot take picture of another person's house car without premession.
https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/ask-us/taking-pictures-of-someones-car-or-home-without-permission-it-will-be-a-breach-of-privacy-1.1678373096222

 

- It is illegal to look at someone else's phone. This includes married couples. the invasion of privacy of another person” – and that includes snooping on your spouse. The crime could land you up to three years in jail, in addition to a fine ranging from Dhs100,000 to Dhs300,000 and possible deportation.

 

- Refrain from giving the finger. It is considered very offensive here and may lead to jail, in the event a complaint is lodged with the police.

 

- Whether sending a salty text or WhatsApp message, shouting down the phone, or verbally slinging some mud in person could land you troble in Duabi. whether that’s sending a salty text or WhatsApp message, shouting down the phone, or verbally slinging some mud in person. https://whatson.ae/2020/12/uae-clarifies-penalties-for-insulting-people-including-dhs5000-fines-and-jail-time/?fbclid=IwAR0TIUIFtsOUZFGzSXUhEZ8Z9NgLx6bDz3yPdkuUbkopjrTH6FF8I7UHOmg

 

This law is not gender based. Man jailed for calling his girlfriend stupid.

 

France

Men Must Wear Speedos on French Beaches and pools. They're seen as more hygienic than loose board shorts

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Germany

It's illegal to run out of gas on the autobahn, as well as to walk along it.

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Hungary

Tourists in Hungary will want to take extra care when snapping photos. The country enacted a law that requires photographers to get permission from everyone who will be depicted in the photo they're about to take.

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Kenya

Kenya It is considered illegal to use swear words and make insulting/ rude gestures in public. Hold your tongue when angry or be ready for some prison time or deportation.

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Italy

- It is illegal to walk out of a store without a receipt

- It's Illegal to feed pigeons in Venice and Florence

- Public masturbation not a crime. the criminal code does call for imprisonment – of up to four-and-a-half years – if the act is witnessed by a minor.

 

- Groping for less than 10 secs does not constitute a crime. A recent court ruling in Rome has cleared a man of the charges of groping a teenager. It ruled that the groping had "only lasted between five and 10 seconds" and that the mans hand did not '"lingered" down her underwear for a brief while. It did not "constitute a crime". It was ruled tht caretaker had not intended to "seriously" molest the teenager. Putting his hand inside her trousers was "bumbling.

 

- If not seated at a restaurant, in Rome, it’s illegal to eat or drink anywhere outdoors in the historic center.

 

- Be careful if you go to Venice on a day trip: Anyone who visits the city must pay a daily tax of $10 or risk penalties up to €450 ($502). https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/venice-new-tourist-rules-explained-entry-fee-how-charged-who-exempt-1722052

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Guatemala
Don't take photos of people without their permission, especially of children.

 

New Zealand will deny residency visas if a person’s BMI is too high

The New Zealand Immigration services require migrants to undergo a complete medical examination. This includes a body mass index (BMI) test. There have been cases where New Zealand has denied immigration to those who do not have a healthy BMI. Our country has an obesity problem and New Zealand is among the top three fattest counties in the world. The law was put in place for budgetary reasons. A spokesman for New Zealand’s immigration service said NZ’s healthcare system can’t afford to have more overweight people in the country. https://www.foxnews.com/story/new-zealand-denies-immigration-to-u-k-wife-because-shes-too-fat

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Philippines

If you visit the Philippines, be careful who you antagonize. The country's "unjust vexation" law makes it illegal for one person to annoy another. https://www.news18.com/buzz/being-annoying-can-get-you-jailed-in-the-philippines-check-the-law-7135639.html

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Poland

Poland issued a ban on Winnie the Pooh around playgrounds and schools, finding the A.A. Milne character a bit too risqué for the likes of impressionable children.

outh Africa
Wearing camouflage clothing is considered a serious crime. This is also a law in other other countries in Africa, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbuda and Jamaica. Camouflage is only allowed to be worn by the country's military personnel.

 

Defamation which consists of the unlawful and intentional publication of matter that impairs another person’s reputation. This includes social media posts

 

Sri Lanka

When you take a selfie with Buddha, you are turning your back on him, it sign of disrespect and punishable by imprisonment in Sri Lanka. It is also considered disrespectful to point your finger at Buddha

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Sudan
In Sudan, if you help someone that was injured in an accident, and they die while you are trying to help them, you can be charged and legally are partially responsible for their death.

 

Laws that are still on the books in the United States

 

Florida

• An unmarried woman cannot go skydiving on a Sunday

• It is illegal to sing while wearing a bathing suit

• Oral sex is illegal

• Missionary is the only legal sexual position.

 

Hawaii

• It's illegal to be wearing just swim trunks in public

• You must wear a seatbelt when riding in the backseat of a car, but you can ride in the back of a pickup truck without any safety equipment

• You can only have one alcoholic drink in front of you at any given time.

 

Arizona

• Cutting down a cactus can get you 25 years in jail

• It's against the law to refuse to give someone a glass of water

• If you are attacked, you can only protect yourself with the same kind of weapon your attacker has.

 

Louisiana

• In New Orleans, you cannot throw anything from a window or balcony that is more than 8 feet above the ground

• New Orleans also mandates you keep at least one hand on your bike handlebars at all times.

 

North Carolina

• If an unmarried man and woman register at a hotel as a married couple. If they do, they will be consider legally married by common law. Also, if the couple "outwardly present themselves as husband and wife to the public," they are also deemed common law married, that will be honored and valid.

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Oklahoma

It's illegal to call a woman an unchaste name.

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South Carolina

• It's a misdemeanor for a man to seduce a woman by "means of deception and promises of marriage," punishable by up to a year in jail

• In Myrtle Beach it is illegal to change into a bathing suit in any public bathroom without the consent of the property owner or manager.

Texas

• Galveston has sit/lie laws that will get you a $500 fine for blocking sidewalks

• Galveston will also not permit offensive language and "unruly conduct" at events.

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Viginia

• Unmarried sex is a misdemeanor

• In Richmond, it's illegal to flip a coin in a restaurant to see who pays for the meal

• In Virginia Beach, if you're too drunk to drive your car and allow another person who is also drunk to drive, you are both subject to DUIs

• It's illegal to ride on the handlebars of a bike in Virginia Beach

• In Virginia Beach, it is illegal to curse on Atlantic Avenue and the boardwalk. It's also illegal to drive past the same location on Atlantic Avenue more than once within 30 minutes.

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Cultural Do's and Don'ts

 

Thailand

• Remove Your Shoes before enter a home

• Don't Step On Thresholds.

• Always Return a Wai Greeting.

• Respect The Monks And Do Not Touch Them.

• Be Mindful When Taking Pictures.

• Smile.

• Don't Touch People's Heads/Hair.

 

Bali

Do not point your finger, use your full hand. The same in the UAE

 

From the navel downwards, the body is said to be impure. Pointing at something using one’s feet is, for example is regarded as an insult.

 

Norway

Jante's Law teaches people to be modest and not 'think big'. It is demonstrated in most people's refusal to criticize others. Norwegians try to see all people as being on equal footing. They do not flaunt their wealth or financial achievements.

 

The tenets of Jante Law is:

• You shall not think you are special.

• You shall not believe you are smarter than others.

• You shall not believe you are wiser than others.

• You shall not behave as if you are better than others.

• You shall not believe that you know more than others.

• You shall not believe that you can fix things better than others.

• You shall not laugh at others.

• You shall not believe that others care about you.

• You shall not believe that you can teach others anything.

 

Amsterdam

• The Dutch are reserved and don't touch in public or display anger or extreme exuberance.

• The Dutch value privacy and seldom speak to strangers. It is more likely that they will wait for you to make the first move. Don't be afraid to do so.

 

• The Dutch speak directly and use a lot of eye contact. To a foreigner, them may appear abrupt, but it is just their manner of communicating.

 

Avoid superlatives. Compliments are offered sparingly, and to say that something is "not bad" is to praise it.

 

Senegal

Communication Styles - As indirect communicators, the Senegalese use a lot of proverbs, sayings, analogies and metaphors when speaking, especially if what they have to say is delicate in nature.

• It is believed that such a style is more polite and demonstrates greater courtesy than being “straight up”. Passive silence is also employed on occasions in order to avoid conflict. If people go quiet for no apparent reason, raising a non-controversial subject will allow communication to continue.

 

• Communication should remain positive at all times. Conversations generally only begin after extensive inquiries into the health and well-being of the other person and their family members. Even if everything is not going smoothly in your personal life, respond to such polite questions in a positive manner. It is important not to rush the greeting process since your goal is to be considered a friend so that business is a possibility.

 

• Eye contact is not pervasive, in fact making direct eye contact throughout a greeting and conversation may brand you as arrogant. The Senegalese tend to lower their gaze while conversing, especially when speaking with someone senior to themselves in age or position.

 

Switzerland

Be quiet!

 

• TheSwiss don’t like noisy people. You should keep quiet while in public or in closed places like public transportation.

 

• Direct Communication - Swiss people are direct, concise, and clear in their communication, in written and spoken form. Using indirect language is perceived as confusing because it’s interpreted as a lack of precision.

 

• Walk on the left, stand on the right rule. Switzerland is one of the countries that has adopted the “walk on the left, stand on the right” rule for escalators.

 

• The Swiss don’t joke about their rest – noisy activities are prohibited on Sundays, and this includes doing laundry and turning on the lawnmower, even at your own house.

 

•  You cannot shower after 10pm in an apartment block or shared house in Switzerland because it disturbs the peace and quiet. Anything creating excessive noise is not allowed after 10pm, on Sundays or over weekday lunchtimes.

 

Tanzina

 

• It’s tempting to raise your camera as soon as you see tribespeople in traditional dress, but it’s bad manners to take photos without asking. You should also be aware that Maasai people usually expect a small tip in exchange for photos.

 

• Avoid handing out sweets or other small gifts to the children you meet, as it can encourage them to drop out of school to beg full-time.

 

• Touching other people, or food, with your left hand, is a no-no. Don’t shake hands, eat, or give money and gifts with this hand as it’s reserved for toilet business. Use the right hand instead.

 

Do not forget to share, especially with your rule breaking friends.  We all know a few! 

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Stay safe and have fun out there!

 

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