Strangest things banned around the world

Sarcasm

The North Korean regime has banned all indirect criticism of the government and leader Kim Jong-un. Sarcastic expressions such as “This is all America’s fault” and “A fool who cannot see the outside world” (an indirect reference to the isolationist leader Kim Jong-un) have now been forbidden. Citizens have also been cautioned against criticizing the government in a series of mass meetings.

Lady Gaga

After meeting with the Dalai Lama before a conference in Indianapolis, U.S. on June 26, 2016, it is reported the singer was then added to a list of hostile foreign nationals banned by China’s ruling Communist Party. The party also included an instruction banning her entire repertoire from mainland China.

The discussion between the two, about yoga, was captured on camera and posted on Facebook, reports The Guardian.

“Anna and the King”

Thailand banned this movie because it was insulting to the royal family and distorted history. According to a 1930 law in the country, any movie which disrespects the monarchy could be banned, and filmmakers are subject to a jail sentence.
(Pictured): A still from the movie.

Candy eggs

In United States, don’t surprise your loved ones with Kinder Surprise candy eggs, as they are banned. These eggs might be very popular in other countries, but the United States feels the toy component of these products are a choking hazard. The U.S. has banned candies with embedded toys since 1938.

Chewing gum

Singapore prohibits the sale and import of chewing gum, which makes it impossible for locals to get their hands on gum. However, exceptions are made for people who have medical conditions and need to chew gum. The ban began in 1992 and is still in effect.

Claire Danes

All the movies featuring actress Claire Danes (pictured) are banned in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. The ban was imposed in 1998 after the actress, who was in the city for a movie shoot, criticized the city, calling it smelly, rat-infested and weird.

Red Bull

France’s concern regarding the chemical ‘taurine’ meant that Red Bull’s original product was banned in the country until 2008. A modified version of the drink was sold in the country while the ban was in effect. The ban, which began in 1996, was lifted because a European Union directive stated that a food product approved by the union couldn’t be banned in member countries unless the threat posed by said product could be proven.

Reincarnation without government’s consent

As bizarre as it sounds, China bans reincarnation without the government’s consent. The move falls in the realm of “the management measures for the reincarnation of living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism,” and only Buddhist monasteries are allowed to apply for the permission. The ban was introduced in 2007 and is still in place.

Jogging

While exercise is considered by most to be a good thing, Burundi banned jogging activities in 2014. President Pierre Nkurunziza felt that group jogs were used as cover for subversive activities. The law is so harsh that it can lead up to life imprisonment., but it only applies to groups — individuals are still allowed to jog.

Yellow clothing

Wearing yellow clothing was banned in Malaysia in 2011 because the government was at odds with a group of activists who wore the hue while protesting electoral laws.

Running out of fuel

People are not allowed to let their cars run out of fuel if they are driving on the Autobahn in Germany. What complicates matters is that a person can’t walk along the highway to get some gas if necessary, as walking on the Autobahn is also prohibited by law.

Ketchup

France banned ketchup in 2011 from school and college cafeterias because the over use of ketchup was blamed for ruining authentic French cuisine and because the condiment’s sugar content is high.

Haggis

The United States has strict laws against Haggis, which is partially made from sheep’s lungs. The food product has been banned in the U..S for more than 40 years for food safety reasons.

Online video games after midnight

In 2011, South Korea passed a law which blocked children from playing online video games from midnight to six in the morning. The move was made to tackle problems like gaming addiction. However, in 2013, the government relaxed its laws, and bans can be lifted upon parental requests.

Certain hairstyles

In 2010, the Iranian government banned certain hairstyles including ponytails, mullets and elaborate spikes. The move was aimed at getting rid of Western decadence. The government also published a journal at the time showing pictures of models in hairdos allowed by the government. The ban continues to be in practice.

Lip synching

In Turkmenistan, lip synching is illegal. The powers that be banned the practice in 2005 to preserve the true culture of the country. It is not the only thing that is banned in the country. Even opera and ballet are banned because they were deemed unnecessary. The lip synching ban is still in effect.

Changing bulb

In Victoria, one of the most populous states in Australia, changing a light bulb is illegal unless you are a licensed electrician.

Samosa

Somalia’s extremist group Al-Shabaab banned samosas because they were considered to be too ‘Christian’ and offensive. Since samosas are three-sided, they were thought to resemble the Christian Holy Trinity.

Alcohol advertisements

India prohibits the advertisement of alcoholic beverages, but advertisers have found a way around the ban through surrogate advertising. The ban was introduced in the 1990s and is still in practice.

Dying in parliament

People are not allowed to die in the Houses of Parliament because dying there entitle them to a state funeral. The law was voted as the most absurd law of Britain in a survey conducted in 2008.

Ovaltine and Marmite

These two products are banned in Denmark because Danish law requires approval for any food product infused with vitamins or minerals. The country believes that a balanced diet provides all the nutrients needed by the human body. The law on additives was introduced in 2004.

Video games

China has lifted the ban on video games, but Greece has yet to do so. The European country bans people from playing video games, and the law was aimed at curbing the illegal gaming problem, but it ended up being applicable to common people as well. The rule was modified in 2003 but still bans people from playing video games at internet cafes.

Time travel shows

Though time travel is not possible, the idea was very popular on Chinese TV. This did not amuse the authorities, and they decided to ban such content because they thought it was disrespectful to history and not showing it in the right way. The ban was imposed in 2011 and is still in practice. (Pictured): A scene from “Back To The Future.”

Dancing in clubs

Japan’s capital, Tokyo, is renowned for its night life, but the country prohibits people from dancing in clubs after midnight. The law was introduced in 1948, but because the country is scheduled to host the Olympics in 2020, lawmakers are determined to repeal the law which seems draconian to many.

Scrabble

In the 1980s, Romanian leader Nicolae Ceausescu found that Scrabble games were subversive and evil, so a ban on the game was put in place. The ban has since been lifted, and tournaments are held all over the country.

Ban on photos of president house

In 2013, the South African government, citing security concerns, banned the publication of pictures of the president’s house in the public domain. However, most newspapers defied the ban and printed photos of the president’s home.
(Pictured): FIFA president Sepp Blatter (R) with South African President Jacob Zuma at his official home, Mahlamba Ndlopfu.

Men dressing like women

In Melbourne, Australia, dressing like women in public if you are a man is banned. An old law prohibits men from wearing women’s strapless gowns in public.

Spitting

To counter swine flu, Coulaines, a town in France, banned spitting in 2009.

Gambling for locals

Monaco is known for casinos around the world and the principality also houses the famous Monte Carlo Casino. However, that does not mean that everyone can gamble in these casinos. The casinos that welcome foreign nationals with open arms have their gates closed to local residents. The rule was introduced in the 1860s when Prince Charles III was afraid that people would lose all of their money if they developed a gambling habit.

Blue jeans

North Korea’s hatred for America is not unknown, and the Asian nation decided to ban blue jeans because the color blue is associated with the United States. The ban is limited only to blue jeans, and people are allowed to wear black jeans.

Jasmine

Since the 2010 revolution in Tunisia came to be known as the Jasmine Revolution, Chinese authorities were wary of the flower inspiring protesters, and banned it in their country.

Flip-flops

Wearing flip-flops in Capri, Italy, is illegal because of the noise the shoes create.

Books

Award-winning New Zealand author, Ted Dawe’s work ‘Into The River’ has been given a temporary ban pending a review from New Zealand’s schools after a protest from family advocacy group, Family First, over its offensive language and gratuitous sexual imagery.

The ban is the first of its kind in the country since 2001. The book won the Supreme Margaret Mahy Book of the Year award at the 2013 NZ Post Children’s Book Awards.

courtesy msn.com