Hello ladies and gents this is the QUEEN telling you that today we are talking about
ITALIAN WEIRD LAWS
Almost as famous as pizza, pasta and shiny red Vespas is Italy’s reputation for bureaucracy. Try to open a bank account, schedule a doctor’s appointment or do just about any seemingly simple task here, and you’ll learn the meaning of red tape. With enough mind-boggling rules and regulations to fit every conceivable scenario, there are some laws even the locals haven’t heard about.
Crimes against fashion
As a nation of well-groomed fashionistas, looking good matters to Italians. Casually wearing your flip flops anywhere other than the beach is a sure sign you’re not a local, but according to The Huffington Post, wear a skirt in public if you’re a man and you could risk being arrested. There’s no clarification if this also applies to Roman centurions posing for photos with tourists outside the Colosseum though.
Hands off, men!
In 2008, Italy’s Supreme Court ruled that men who touch their genitals in public, even just for a quick scratch, are committing a criminal offence. Good news for social etiquette, bad news for any men who still believe the superstition that a quick grab to the trouser area wards off bad luck.
No making sandcastles at the beach
Amazingly, something as innocent as building sandcastles on the beach could land you in trouble with the law in Eraclea, a small beach town near Venice. With fines ranging from €25 to €250, as reported in The Telegraph, you may wish to leave the bucket and spade at home.
Goldfish bowls are banned
Following a campaign by animal rights activists a bylaw was passed in Rome banning all round goldfish bowls. Experts claimed the shape doesn’t provide enough oxygen and city councillors eventually agreed the bowls are cruel to fish. The same fish-friendly bylaw also ensures legal protection to people who feed colonies of cats. Go figure.
No noisy footwear
If you’re heading to Capri anytime soon, you may wish to pack your slippers – the island has outlawed noisy footwear. Strutting your stuff in clogs could result in more than just a fine too; one couple was actually arrested for their ‘excessively noisy flip-flops’.
And as always stay happy from the Queen
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