People Share The Craziest Things That Are Somehow Legal In Certain Countries
Reddit user fittingpenguin asked: 'What’s the craziest yet still legal thing in your country?'
As foreigners who travel, it's easy to be overcome by culture shock while taking in the sights of different countries.
But we may behave in ways that are completely normal for us back home but are not acceptable in the places we're visiting.
Which makes sense.
There are rules and restrictions we should be aware of before we arrive in a foreign country.
Redditor fittingpenguin solicited input from strangers online to weigh in on conflicting international rules by asking:
"What’s the craziest yet still legal thing in your country?
You probably didn't know these were actual rules.
No Complaining
"A direct ancestor/descendant or spouse of an individual cannot file a theft complaint against that individual except if it's essential documents, like an ID."
– ObjectiveMountain900
Who's The Baby Daddy?
"I always thought the paternity test one was worse for France. Your not allowed to perform one even if you've good suspicion the child may not be yours and you could be liable to child support for another person's kid."
– SoloWingPixy88
Bees Take The Lead
"In Germany, you are allowed to enter private property to follow your honey bee swarm if the swarm is escaping and looking for a new hive."
– lizaahunn
"this is actually the case in lots of countries, where I am they can legally enter your yard to come to get them."
– WRA1THLORD
Things get very specific and downright shocking.
Gotta Be Pitch-Perfect
"In Belgium, anybody can sing or play an instrument in the Streets. In the city of Leuven however, you can be fined if you play your instrument off-key."
– Zuid-Dietscher
"To be fair to Leuven, with all the students running around doing it, I don't blame them."
– Blasmere
Careful The Things You Say
"Someone can be found guilty of defamation even if what that person said or wrote is 100 percent true."
– EHonda92m
"Japan. e.g. if you expose someone for having an affair, that person can sue you for defamation. I suppose it's an expectation of privacy. The only exception is if it's in the "public interest" to know this information."
– TheOvy
Everyone's Playground
"You can freely walk, bike or ski in the nature on any private property. As long as it's not counted as a breach of domestic peace or you are not ruining their crop field or something. For example, even though you see a sign 'private property' in the forest. You are free to go pick mushrooms and berries there. Or you can even fish there freely (only with basic worm fishing rod though) if there's a lake on the property. You can even set up a tent on someone's private property for a short time (1-2 nights) as long as you aren't littering or disturbing anyone for example being noisy or on the way. The country is Finland, and these things are in the Finnish constitution as 'every man's/everyone's rights.'"
– RamuPamu1
What happens if you break the law? There doesn't seem to be consequences here.
Prison Break
"I don't know if it's really crazy, I personally think it's good and reasonable, but here in germany it's not punishable to escape from prison."
"Of course in reality they might charge you with other things like property damage or assault etc. if you damage something or someone on the way out but the act of breaking out itself can't prolong your sentence because the need to be free is a fundamental human desire."
– PetrosiliusZwackel
The Warden's Story
"I watched a doc on European prisons some years back and in a Croatian prison they talked to the warden. He told a story about a man who escaped. A week or so after the escape the prison received a package containing the man’s prison uniform."
"Since he had committed no crimes while escaping (just walked out the doors) and while an escapee, the only thing they could have charged him with was stealing his prison uniform. But since he returned it, there was nothing to charge and he just had to finish out his original sentence."
– CornyCornheiser
Leaving Civilly Is Not A Crime
"Basically, the normal rules of society apply. If you punch a guard to get past them, that's still a crime. If they leave you unattended with the door open or you sneak out under a lorry, that isn't a crime. They can still catch you and return you, but you can't be charged with attempted or successful escape, just any crimes committed in the process."
– Death_God_Ryuk
It's The Soldiers' Call
"Also Germany, soldiers are allowed to disobey orders if they think it violates human dignity. There are other nations with similar rules or even obligations regarding human rights and violation of geneva convention, but protecting even their own dignity is unique (I think)"
– f_cysco
This doesn't have legal consequences but slurping noodles at the dinner table is perfectly acceptable in Japan.
As a matter of fact, the Japanese encourage it.
The Japanese believe that eating noodles while they're piping hot is the best way to enjoy them.
Also, what is perceived as rude etiquette in other countries is actually a sign of validation that the cook prepared the dish well.
People Explain Which Industries They Think Are The Legal Versions Of Organized Crime
Frightening as it is to consider, organized crime is still running rampant all over the world.
Helping them get away with it is the fact that these criminal organizations operate other businesses, up to and including laundromats, restaurants, casinos, and real estate, to cover up what they're really up to.
Of course, organized crime isn't always what we see in films and tv shows.
Indeed, many people believe that several businesses are, in fact, variations of organized crime.
Managing to swindle customers out of money completely legally.
Possibly even more frightening than anything we would ever see on The Sopranos.
"What industry do you consider to be legal, organized-crime?
You Can't Believe Everything You Read...
"Yelp."
“Advertise your business with them to increase engagement and gain positive reviews, but when you stop advertising, they suppress positive reviews and promote negative reviews."- SafetyMan35
Must Have Made Them An Offer They Couldn't Refuse
"Cable TV companies that have eliminated the competition in an entire town."- Pserotina·
"ISP's/Cable providers."
"They are almost literal monopolies who try their best to pretend they are something else to get legal protections they don't deserve."- aerfgadf
bored news anchor GIFGiphyBeware The Fees...
"Lobbying, H&R Block, TurboTax, paid health insurance."- alexan45
Getting A Prescription Isn't As Easy As It Used To Be...
"Pharmacy benefit management, the root cause behind why it is impossible to get honest and transparent drug pricing."- btvaaron
There's Probably A Reason You Have To Re-Fill Them So Frequently...
"Printer inks."- Ewok2744
Ink Printing GIF by Epson EuropeGiphyWhere To Even Begin?
"US health insurance."
"United Health Care posted $5B in profits in the third quarter last year."- SurferRosa85
"As a Metlife customer service representative: insurances."- xdaysawayfromhppnss
Paid Religion Is A Definite Red Flag...
"The Church of Scientology."- SuvenPan
church building GIF by South Park GiphyWhere There's A Will...
"Civic asset forfeiture."- Philo2389
Taylor Swift Would Agree...
"TicketMaster."- SuperousMaximus
"See The Pyramids Along The Way..."
"Anything based around an MLM."- AllTheWeedz
Talking Season 3 GIF by The SimpsonsGiphyBeing In Debt Is Always A Risk...
"Pay day loans."- kopackistan
Talk About Insider Trading
"Politicians Trading Stocks."- AggravatingSample586
Big Money...
"The online gambling industry."
"The offline gambling industry too."- twinsunsspaces
Country Music Poker GIF by Jon PardiGiphyMore businesses are just a facade for illegal activities than we might realize.
And even more, legitimate businesses are getting away with activities that by all accounts should be illegal.
Being a lawyer means you're always walking a tightrope.
Who knows if a client is being completely honest.
How many courtroom dramas have we watched where there is a last minute twist that upends the entire case?
Even in real life, courtroom crazy plays out in real time.
Redditor 6packobeer wanted to hear from lawyers about all the drama in court and they couldn't help but ask everyone to share:
"Lawyers of Reddit, what was your 'oh s**t' moment in court?"
If you watch the lawyers on TV it all looks so enticing. Even when they're sandbagged by clients.
Thanks, buddy!
idiots GIFGiphy"Not me but my former law partner. She was in court representing a client, I think in a hearing for a restraining order against her soon-to-be-ex-husband. Our client was telling the judge that when they met to exchange the children for visitation, the ex had kicked her. He immediately angrily shouted 'she can't prove it, I didn't leave a mark!" Thanks, buddy!"
DaniKnowsBest
How did you get a medical license?
"Sat in on a personal injury case where the plaintiff broke their leg in an accident and had a doctor on the stand as an expert. The woman's lawyer begins questioning the doctor about their experience with leg injuries (he was a well known orthopedic surgeon in the area)."
"She asks if he's ever treated a tibula fracture (the leg bones are tibia and fibula) to which he only answers 'no' then she starts grilling him with questions about the tibula."
"After about 6-7 questions she asks 'How did you get a medical license and have been able to practice medicine this long if you've never treated a tibula fracture?' And begins a small rant about going after his credentials and those that gave it to him, to which he simply responds 'there is no bone named the tibula.'"
"The lawyer became beet red and everyone in the room tried their best to keep from laughing including the judge."
bang-a-rang47
Pain
"I was representing a plaintiff in a hit and run case. Plaintiff is testifying and is, despite me preparing them for several hours the previous day, an absolutely terrible witness for her own case. Like, she couldn’t even identify the street she was crossing when she was hit by the car."
"It was a major highway and we had gone through the sequence of events countless times the day before the hearing."
"The “oh sh*t” moment came during cross examination. Defense counsel pulls out a picture of my client dressed up and ready to hit the club which was posted to Facebook the day after the alleged accident."
"I, thinking quickly, object because the timestamp refers to when it was posted, not when it was taken. Defense counsel show the picture to my client and asked her when the picture was taken. Sure enough, they say it was taken the day after the accident when she was supposedly in unbearable pain."
"Oh. Sh*t."
DoctorTargaryen
fatal shots...
"When I was in college, I was a bailiff. Guy is on trial for murder. First witness testified that she saw the defendant shoot the victim. Second witness states the same. Police officer testimony is that he arrived at the scene and defendant was there holding the gun."
"Coroner testimony is that the first bullet hit the victim in the arm, the second bullet hit the victim in the torso and the third bullet hit the victim in the heart which was the fatal shot.
"Defendant yells out 'see that proves that I didn't kill him, I only shot the motherf**ker twice.'"
Mynameisinuse
Fraud
bonnie gordon GIF by AlphaGiphy"I was at a hearing arguing that my client was wrongfully terminated because the employer failed to abide by the proper procedures."
"During the hearing a witness for the employer tried to offer documents that were fraudulently altered in order to make it look like the proper procedure was followed. I noticed the alteration. opposing counsel quickly got that witness out of the room, and after a quick adjournment, my client got a large settlement."
mincerray
If I was a lawyer I'd object to everything. For fun mostly.
I Object
Season 1 Lawyers GIF by Law & OrderGiphy"Opposing counsel was a nightmare. Everything late, his work was extremely subpar, and so forth. Accused me of lying multiple times when he had dropped the ball."
"During another hearing in which he did another dumb move, judge says 'I’m glad you are the last case on the call, and all of the other attorneys have left the room, so they aren’t here to hear me say that you are a terrible attorney.'"
Dbo81
Bad Boss
"Not mine but my bosses one..."
"She had to defend a small time delinquent as duty solicitor. Before going to court he asked her what he should do; she explained to him if he was cooperative and truthful his sentence would be milder. After hearing the case the judge asked him if he wanted to add something."
"He got up and explained to the judge: 'my counsel told me to be truthful, so I wanted to tell you that I not only did the robbery I'm being heard for but also several others in the region.'"
"He continued to admit to several robberies that had been unsolved yet and everyone, even the state attorney were facepalming."
ComradeCatilina
Explained everything...
"Literally the first thing I ever did, was just a law student intern. Guy has a legit defense on a drug possession case. Drugs found in a jacket, guy wasn't wearing jacket, they were going to have a very difficult time proving the jacket belonged to my guy."
"Had a long meeting with client. Explained everything. Client was excited."
"Day of the preliminary hearing, guy shows up and sits down directly in front of the officer who arrested him..."
"...while wearing the jacket in question, the exact same jacket we were going to say they couldn't prove belonged to him."
cuthman99
Thanks Dad. I owe you one...
"Probably the funniest one I ever came across happened to a colleague. We were prosecutors then. 18 year old defendant applying for bail. He needed a residential address and got his dad to show up at court to confirm that the family home was available to him. Defence lawyer gets old dad to confirm that son can stay at family home. Dad says yes. My fellow prosecutor gets up and asks dad - do you really want him home? Dad goes off the deep end. ‘Jesus."
"The grief he’s brought me and his mother. Out all hours. Taking drugs. Hiding stolen property in the garage. All night parties. I’m on anti-depressants and the wife’s had a nervous breakdown.’ Dad goes off on one for five solid minutes. As the defendant gets taken back to the cells, he calls out ‘Thanks Dad. I owe you one.’"
Good to Know
Frustrated Skip Bayless GIFGiphy"During jury selection. 'I can’t be a juror due to the fact I’m kinda racist.'"
Jasper_Probincrux
Now I wish I had been a lawyer.
The world is full of questionable events and actions. That’s just a fact. A lot of these things seem like they should be against the law, but aren’t.
Then there are things that are actually positive, or even fall into the category of basic human rights, that shouldn't be illegal, but might be.
The world is prone to change. Just a few decades from now, both the questionable and the positive events and actions may be illegal.
Redditors all have their own theories about what may be illegal 50 years from now.
Curious about those theories, Redditor Dohkodilibra asked:
"What do you think will be illegal in 50 years from now?"
Don't Judge A Toddler By Her Tiara
"I hope child beauty pageants in US"
– SuvenPan
"I agree 100%. I always scroll to those clips showing the pageant tv show and that’s definitely child abuse. I don’t understand who would be that selfish to just shove their kid on stage with skimpy clothing on. The parents are forcing their kids to do it so they can live their dreams through their kids. It’s disgusting.."
– Select-Error-9829
Protect The Planet
"putting waste into orbit."
"EDIT: New required protocols have been implemented in a number of nations, including the US. It also goes against UN regulations, but those are not legally obligatory among its members."
– Perfect-Respe
"Welcome to my world"
"Welcome to my only world"
"(Welcome to my only world)"
"It is full of space junk"
"But your words are coming through"
"I'm riding on the space junk"
"And it's bringing me to you"
– SpaceJunk-
Those Poor Dogs
"Breeding super unhealthy dog breeds like pugs, frenchies and others. Super unethical. Hopefully people will do something about it."
– dasmycat
"To expand on this, eliminating like puppy mills."
– JordanDsGaming
The Fall Of Privacy
"Unfortunately I think privacy and the right to repair anything will become illegal slowly over time. I think that IP rights will take such an egregious turn that it'll become illegal to circumvent ads on webpages, and there will be DRM and planned obsolescence in absolutely everything."
"It should go without saying that I hope I'm wrong."
– Wolfje_
"You're not wrong at all, realize both things have been happening for the last 40+ years already. What you see today is all that is left of the rights to repair and privacy. I'm only 47 but I've been watching both things crumble my entire life. It's horrifying."
– CleanUpOn_AisleMe
Life In Front Of The Camera
"Family vloggers/social media influencers that are exploiting their kids for views and money."
– kentyrio
"i dont have a problem with them if they allow the kid to have some of the money or by doing that they can have a better life"
"but when they try to completely exploit their kid for the sole purpose of content and money that's where i draw the line"
– Kiro_sage
Never Gonna Happen
"Smoking"
– Alexdoh
"Governments get a lot of tax I don't think they will give that easily"
– mrhippo1998
"Even though I hate tobacco, I would be against a full ban… prohibition is never the solution.. it would just create a huge black market for it…"
"I reckon they will just increase taxes so much so it becomes unappealing"
– raff7
Dirty Politics
"Bribing politicians? We can only hope."
– Brain442
Hopefully
"Factory farming. As lab-grown meat become cheaper, healthier and tastier, factory farming will be mentioned along slavery, after campaigns by lab-grown meat based companies and further protests."
– Namaenonaidesu
Our Own Thoughts
"Thinking freely"
– misterbungle1975
"Us: "I think we-""
"Gov't: "No, you don't.""
– xDxRockx
That last one is pretty scary!
If we take action to protect our rights while making sure things that should be illegal become illegal, it'll just be a matter of time before we’re in a better world!
We all have our gripes about inconsequential things that become so increasingly annoying, that they drive us over the edge.
Unfortunately, these inconveniences in life–whatever they may be–will continue pestering us because they have every right to be there.
Ah, but what if there are legal consequences for the things that irk us the most?
Seeking to make our world a better place, Redditor mystic-savant asked:
"If you could make something illegal, what would it be?"
These continued interruptions are enough to make us erupt into fits of rage.
Our Common Hang-Up
"Spam calls."
– mettedraq
Ixnay To The Exnay
"Small 'X' buttons on mobile ads. I hate the kind where unless you have dainty fingers you get redirected to a website."
– Bridgtecmilen
Too Many Trees Die For This
"Junk mail. Think of all the 'You're pre qualified for a credit card!' mail people get and how much of that goes straight in the trash."
– TheSchoeMaker
Staring At The Void
"Reporting an ad to google for covering content and them removing the ad, only to leave a large empty gray box over the content where the ad used to be."
– spade13F
People could do without these sonic assaults.
So Alarming
"Police sirens in radio commercials."
– ilumewey
No Honking!
"And car horns. I’d like to get to work without having a heart attack on the way."
– perkiezombie
A Close Call
"This almost caused me to crash because it was timed as I went through an intersection that was at an angle so oncoming traffic aims at you for a time before they turn. I swore to the Nine Hells that I was about to be slammed into and nearly jerked by steering wheel to the right and into another car. Only reason it didn't happen was triage; I decided that if I'm being hit steering away wasn't changing that. Then nothing happened."
– NoobSabatical
Disturbing The Peace
"Listening loud music from phone without using earphone in public places, especially in public transport."
– SuvenPan
Corruption gets casually overlooked. It's time for some changes.
Shady Transactions
"Politicians buying/selling/trading stock while in office."
– Sudden-Cat5805
No More Advantageous Incentives
"Honestly, politicians receiving any kind of additional income or donations, monetary or otherwise, while in office."
"No stock trading, no second job, no donations to their campaign fund, no gifts from supporters, nothing. If you work in government, and have financial ties to other entities, then your loyalty is being bought, whether consciously or not as you will use your power to support your other forms of income in the name of self interest as to ensure to still receive those forms of additional income."
"A politician’s only form of income or compensation should be via taxpayers from the people they represent."
– Conchobhar23
There Ought To Be Consequences
"Politicians getting any pension , insurance , security , or anything after getting convicted of anything connected with their office ."
– crowman006
Thing About Per Diem
"Representatives/senators started out making a $6 per diem and were only paid for the days they actually showed up."
– Haunting-Ad-8619
Driven By Greed
"Price gouging on life-saving medicines."
– gaomeigeng
People just found these incredibly annoying.
Bad Template
"I would make it illegal for recruiters to not give some kind of response after applying for a job. At least say “yes” or “no” instead of _____."
– I-Care-for-all
Closed For Business
"Leaving your 'OPEN' sign on when you're not. I used to work midnights and I can't tell you the number of restaurant doors I've pulled on at 1am because their sign said they were open. If I were King of the world restaurants would be fined $1000 an hour for allowing this to happen. I'M LOOKIN' RIGHT AT YOU Steak-n-Shake!"
– Oph5pr1n6
Now, Scoot!
"Leaving e-scooters in the middle of the sidewalk."
– mossadspydolphin
I personally think there ought to be clear a distinction between factual news reporting and opinion.
The lines are so blurred these days, people will forgo doing the research to educate themselves on the facts and wind up disseminating propaganda and unsubstantiated information, which can mobilize a harmful movement.
The question is, which party should bear the consequences of their indiscretion? The reporting agency or the audience?