There are many strange prohibitions in different countries.Towels may be prohibited on beaches, you cannot walk in flip-flops or carry suitcases on wheels on city streets, and in some places it is forbidden to take selfies. But sometimes, at first glance, absurd prohibitions are really a sound idea or prosaic economic considerations.
Anyone traveling abroad should familiarize themselves with the local regulations in advance. What seems perfectly normal in one country is completely unacceptable in other places. Violations of prohibitions can result in serious fines, and sometimes even imprisonment.
For example, in Split, the second largest city in Croatia, there is a strange prohibition: if you feel sick, you should run back to the hotel as soon as possible or find a public toilet. Anyone who vomits in public faces a fine of 300 euros.
The reason for such harsh measures is prosaic: the ban on nausea in public places is part of a set of measures to combat drinking tourism. Alcohol is prohibited throughout the old town , with the exception of bars and pubs. It is also forbidden to sleep in parks and other public places, swim in the fountain and climb monuments.
In another Croatian resort, Dubrovnik, tourists create too much noise by carrying suitcases along the sidewalk. Therefore, they are asked to transport their luggage without “noise effects” so as not to disturb the locals. However, there are no formal prohibitions and fines for a suitcase on wheels. This is just a recommendation.
YOU CAN’T WEAR FLIP-FLOPS AND TAKE SELFIES
In some historical places and churches in Italy it is forbidden to wear flip-flops. Bare legs are regarded as a sign of disrespect.
The Italian region Cinque Terre also prohibits vacationers from hiking on the rocks of Liguria in flip-flops. But the reason for this is not ethical considerations, but accidents that can occur due to unsuitable shoes (there were many cases when mountain rescue teams were called to rescue tourists). If you don’t wear the right shoes and you get caught, you face a fine of 50 to 2500 euros.
Selfies are banned in several countries . For example, in Spanish Pamplona it is forbidden to take selfies during the famous bull run for safety reasons.
In India , many tourist spots also have a ban on selfies, since many people in the country have already died taking self-portraits. Recently, an elephant trampled on a man because he got too close to the animal to take a photo.
In In Singapore, selfies are allowed everywhere, but chewing gum is strictly prohibited. Such a product cannot also be sold or bought. Tourists who violate this ban can receive heavy fines.
The ban was introduced in 1992 due to the fact that a lot of chewing gum ended up on the street or on the walls. The cost of removing the stuck gum turned out to be too high for the government, so the situation was radically resolved by banning it.
TOWELS HAVE NO PLACE ON THE BEACH
Bans on towels on beaches are also justified. For example, such measures are in effect on the beach in Stintino on the island Sardinia (Italy): there it is not allowed to put a towel directly on the sand. For these purposes, you need to use a straw mat or other bedding to which the grains of sand will not stick.
Local environmentalists claim that tourists carry away too much white Sardinian sand along with wet towels. Therefore, a fine of 100 euros is provided for relaxing on a towel.
There are many other rules in Italy that many have probably never heard of. For example, in the town of Eboli, the Campaign has a ban on kissing while driving. This is done to improve road safety.
IT IS FORBIDDEN TO WRITE IN THE SEA AND SING FOR A PARTNER
But there are really absurd prohibitions, for which there are no logical explanations. For example, in the city of Rochester in the US state of Michigan bathing suits must be checked by the chief of police before use. In addition, in Michigan it is forbidden to ride a train drunk, stare at women, and in the city of Kalamazoo, it is forbidden to sing for your partner.
One of the latest strange innovations, with a considerable fine of 750 euros, is the ban on urination in the sea. In Spain, such a restriction applies in the resort town of Vigo, and in the future it will be relevant in Marbella.
In order to keep the beaches of the Costa del Sol clean, the City Council of Marbella (Spain) approved a bill to increase the amount of the fine for those who relieve themselves at sea from 300 to 750 euros. The new rule will apply to 25 beaches.
It is still completely unclear how the rescuers on duty will identify violators at sea and on the beach to collect a fine. The discussion of how to do this – to catch violators pissing in the sea – has become the reason for numerous memes and jokes in the local press.
Elena Myagkova
