A cup of hot chocolate, bread and cheese on the side to dip in, photo by Peter Angritt. Amanado? 1. Skamania County, Washington, was the first county to draft the law in 1964 which states that "any . All Rights Reserved. Let's say a man and a woman walk into a hotel in North Carolina, request to share a room, and claim they are married. Read about these strange and wacky laws and more in Weird British Columbia Laws: * From 1947 to 1986, it was illegal to sell stoves on a Wednesday in Vancouver * Kelowna once permitted nude bathing in any public waters, but only between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am * In Port Coquitlam, it is against the law to own more than four pet rats or to allow your ), Swiss officials reminded folks that a public indecency law still exists and you can be fined if caught in the woods in the buff. Use our online form to ask a librarian for help. Alaska. The law wasn't for safety, but rather that men wouldn't dare walk around town in a Speedo, so if he wears a Speedo in the water, it surely would be cleaner than something he may have been wearing all day long. One of the things that stands out to me as being unique is the intentional way Colombians dress and their attention to their appearance. This need to avoid clothing that could have been worn throughout the day also extends to T-shirts; you'll need to lose those as fast as your surfer shorts. The weird aspect of the Act comes from Section 32 of the Act, which is headed "Handling Salmon in Suspicious Circumstances". But, if you run out of gas, you could face a big fine. I think you nailed the true meaning of mono. I have been trying to figure this out for three years now living in Cali. Oblea (like a flattened waffle cone ) will be served with arequipe, jam and of course, cheese. I would welcome Christmas Comments from the Medellin community. Just know your audience. In the town of Sarpourenx, you cannot die within the city limits unless you already have your burial plot purchased in the local cemetery. Here are two of my favourite strange Irish laws from Trinity College Dublin: It is illegal for a student to walk through Trinity College without their sword. Yes, you read that right. It's a common assumption for travellers in Colombia that you can get away with almost any crime by simply quietly offering a fistful of banknotes to the arresting officer. Whenever you get into a cab, it's normal for the taxi driver to be listening to the radio, as a way to make the ride more pleasant for everyone. Before you get any crazy ideas and have too much Scottish whisky you should know you could get a ticket for drunk cow riding. The country banned high heels at the Acropolis in 2009, so no stilettos at the Parthenon. But thanks for the input. My state of mind changed a lot since I traveled and now live in Colombia. Links to additional digital content are provided when available. Camouflage is only allowed to be worn by the country's military personnel. But in Colombia, coffee shops dont rely only on a morning rush. Always make sure that if this person doesnt show up, you already have another plan. I have run into getting bad directions from Colombians many times so I never ask anymore. Features, A husband could actually divorce her if she is drinking in public! ( IC 14-22-9-1 ). A receipt with two totals, one with a tip (27,315 pesos) and one without a tip (25,000 pesos). The committee will not stop there, however, and also plans to create a document that will provide clear guidelines for new laws to ensure that the creation of such obnoxious decrees will be kept to a minimum in the future, according to Justice Minister Ruth Stella Correa. Medelln in particular celebrates Christmas with its world-class Medelln Christmas lights that are turned on for over a month. This is possibly the weirdest fact of them all. ), optionally filled with guava jam. Mothers calling their sons papi and fathers calling their daughters mami. Technically, the full 1872 law mandates people not be drunk when in charge of a cow, horse, carriage or steam engine. Sitting in a bus and watching other people can be really interesting. While in the U.S., it is common only to drink a single cup of coffee in the morning. And don't even think of walking to a gas station; you'll get another fine for that! I could write way more about the beautiful things about Colombia, like you already mentioned, the food, the friendly people, the landscapes and so on. Official gazettes are primary sources of law published by national governments to disseminate new legislation, regulations, and decisions of governmental bodies. Keep up to date with latest news and job offers: Gap year and career break travel insurance, tailored to you. April 20, 2022 We round up some of the weirdest laws around the world, from not allowing your chicken to cross the road or preventing your donkey from sleeping in the bath to never refusing a stranger the use of your bathroom and more. In Victoria, Australia, it's been illegal to fly a kite since 1966. Sounds fishy, but it's true. Unless the bar or lounge that you're in has a dancing license, it is illegal to move your body to the songs they are playing. Tibetan Buddist monks are not allowed to reincarnate after they die unless they have been granted permission from the government. So much so that all Canadian radio stations are required, by law, to play Canadian artists on the airwaves at least 35 percent of the time, especially during the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. It's illegal to throw stones in the District of Columbia. No obscenities during phone calls. However, in such a marriage, the condition is that divorce cannot be taken before 5 years. LOL!! 7 Jewish Kaparot. But they are normal for Colombians. Also, in Colombia, your average Colombian usually makes a distinction between tinto and cafe (coffee). The article was especially to talk about things that foreigners may consider as weird, unusual or different. Clearly, such obsolete laws are not unique to Colombia. Thankfully this particular law is no longer enforced, and after the governmental body entrusted in targeting antiquated laws is finished, it might not even be documented anymore. But since braces arent a thing that every Colombian can afford, they are wearing them proudly and at all ages. This means that in an hour of radio during the workweek, you'll hear more than 20 minutes of artists like Nickelback, Alanis Morissette, Celine Dion, Michael Bubl and Justin Bieber all of whom are proud Canucks. If a child burps during church, his parent may be arrested. But what about laws that don't make any sense? 2. The wrestling matches resulted in the inhumane treatment of the bears, who had their claws and teeth removed so they wouldn't maul their opponents. Not only can you not toss confetti in Mobile, Alabama, but it is illegal to possess, keep, store, use, manufacture or sell it within city limits. (Denver) Flickr/James. Listed as part of Summary Offences Act of 1966, the Aussies probably won't mind if you do decide to fly a kite while you visit. Spiteful gossip or talking behind someone's back is illegal in Indiana. Countries like Malta and Lebanon have strange laws against women. 2. They are just not used to be punctual and since its not considered as rude as it is in the U.S. and Europe they have no reason to change. Top paramilitary chief assassinated in northern Colombia: police. The following resources include primary and secondary legal reference materials, as well as government and non-government websites that provide access to free online legal information about Colombia. If you have a potty mouth, be sure it's in check before you visit! Here are some funny, dumb state laws from Nebraska to Wyoming. Laws against fun are most common in centuries-old legislation. On the other hand, what Ive foud in El Hueco is that if youre looking for something a bit unusual, if you ask in any store, they will give you some very specific and complex directions and its always correct. I hope the article helps other Expats and travelers in the future to avoid the same mistakes . Living in a foreign country is always interesting. Find out more here, Tel: +44 (0) 161 818 8864 info@eslstarter.com Skype: eslstarter. Read on to know more. Article 10 states that all Moroccan laws apply to foreigners in Morocco, although generally this law is not applied so strictly to foreigners, especially if neither is from an Islamic nation. So, you follow their directions and find out there is nothing there. While this can sometimes be the case, Colombia is currently taking steps to crack down on corruption, and attempting to bribe a member of the police or armed forces is a crime. The law extends to goldfish as well. When driving along the highway in the Garden State, you are legally required to provide an audible warning that you are about to pass a car on the left. It's illegal to hold salmon under suspicious circumstances If you're a single woman in La Paz, Bolivia, drink up! When people first began sighting Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, in the 1800s, British Columbia made it illegal to kill him/her/it. The bottom line is that the things Colombians do that foreigners may find weird or just funny or unusual are from our point of view. This may be weird but are lovely and great. No fish is allowed to be caught barefoot in Kansas. Overall hygiene is very important to Colombian culture from what I gather irrespective of class. It is said the cleanup from the birds cost each citizen 275 per year, so now, the tables are turned. Fact is, that you always need a plan B or even plan C when having a meeting with a Colombian. Having retired and moved to Cali three years ago, I can agree that the cultural differences are many. Tweet this. He added, "Offenders will be severely punished.". These publications may also contain other information including the text of international agreements, court decisions, official announcements, and government notices. Its only over the past few years in Colombia that coffee shops selling quality coffee have really started taking off. But it would be boring if you would know everything already and everything was the same, right? India TV brings to you 10 weird and bizarre sex laws that might shock you: 1. See also:10 Reasons Why Colombia Should Be On Your Radar. So, you can wear a fake mustache to church as long as it doesn't elicit laughter. the other two Im not sure of. But how could we survive without our gorditas or our negritos or our blanquitos or our pelotones or our narizn? Airport taxis across Colombia are regulated, safe and an easy to spot bright yellow color. Walking along the highway is unsafe, as is having your vehicle stalled on or on the side of the road. With those different habits you get to see new things and get to understand the new culture even better. Many Europeans are freezing inside buses or hotels in the US, whereas many people visiting Europe in the summer find the heat unbearable . In Indiana, it's unlawful to take a fish out of the water using your bare hands. Its used for people with light hair color, so it could be light brown, blonde or even red hair. In Finland, however, taxi drivers are required by law to pay royalty fees for songs they play while driving passengers. This isn't just for saying the inappropriate words aloud. One day of the year, no personal cars are allowed, people can only use public transportation. Take a second to support Medellin Guru on Patreon! I never heard about the brown time, but my friends and I call it the Colombian time. This one is an interesting one, and it probably will make you laugh. For instance, you can get called negrito (black person) when youre black or mono (white person) when youre white. (Why not, there are a lot of them, right?) Don't get caught blowing bubbles in the streets! This means that, whether you're driving on the Garden State Parkway or the New Jersey Turnpike, you technically should honk your horn before you pass, according to state law. We're again not quite sure how they would prove this one, but it's better safe to just use the restrooms like a civilized person. 2) Calling me Mr Trevor (my first name) as a mark of respect for a senior. | Contact | Editorial Policy | Fun stuff ! Bien (grrrr) Strange Law 2: It is illegal for a woman to drive a vehicle in a house coat. No were not joking. For Europeans especially, air conditioning is something a little too modern for their antique architecture. Only recognize (and find in google search) Gorditas 13. Because of this, Poland issued a ban on Winnie the Pooh around playgrounds and schools, finding the A.A. Milne character a bit too risqu for the likes of impressionable children. 2. In the great state of Wyoming, any public building erected must have art displayed valued at 1 percent of the building's costs (although not to exceed $100,000). While the law has been around for a while, fans continue to partake in this tradition. The colors of the Colombia flag are yellow, blue and red. Coffee shops in the U.S. do most of their business before 10 am. When you have a dog you can enter most restaurants and most stores with it. Today this has dramatically changed with new links and transportation in Colombia, which has made it easy, cheap and accessible for everyone to move around the country. And the fines vary by location at their discretion. A really nice compilation of differences. (I recognized it from wikpedia My favorite is PANDEBONO (Cheese Bread! LOL this is a great article. It is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor. Germany banned making any loud, excessive noises during quiet hours which are typically between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Si, gracias Links to additional digital content are provided when available. Although there is no jail time for the offense, you could risk . The country is now one of the safest in South America, imposes short-term laws to avoid violence and has eradicated its drug-fuelled past to create an absolutely beautiful place to live, visit and teach in. What an individual can dispose . You can't wake a sleeping bear to take a selfie. Ireland's Defamation Act of 2009 made it illegal to insult religion, either verbally or in writing. One provision: You can have a billboard if it's on your own property. Some Colombians may not even know what some of the Colombia holidays stand for, but will certainly celebrate. If a dead whale should wash up on the shores of the British coast, the head belongs to the King, the tail belongs to the Queen, and the bones will go to the making of her corset, an antiquated British law reads. California Penal Code section 185, enacted in 1872, makes it illegal for anyone "to wear false whiskers (whether complete or partial) for the purpose of (e)vading or escaping discovery, recognition, or identification in the commission of any public offense.". Just in case you get hungry, Idaho will imprison you up to 14 years if you eat the flesh or blood of a person. The Protection of the Rights and Interests of Elderly People (over the age of 60) includes a number of requirements for children when it comes to their elderly parents. At coffee shops in Colombia, 3 pm and 7 pm tend to be busier than the early morning. and just for completeness, the breads in the first photo on the left is Almojabana and right is Pan de Yuca. Photo taken on the dia de la pereza in Itagi. And the Medellin Guru site previous covered not being on time in an article about Medelln dating tips and advice for foreign men. Therationale is supposedly that person who just left the seat youre about to sit in has left their body heat behind and that this can cause the spread of germs. Billboard advertising is not allowed in the state of Hawaii. In this article I look at my top 12 things Colombians do that foreigners may find weird or funny. So, rather than saying: Sorry I dont know they will make up a story or tell you anything to help you even though its not true. Colombia Gun Laws: Is it Legal to Have a Gun in Colombia? In fact, you cannot even play a game in a public place if it annoys someone else. I felt that it didnt need to be salty because it was just naturally delicious. In either case, all is good. This means that you will be forced to let it mellow until the morning. There seems to be a celebration for almost everything. Best to leave your bear attire at home if visiting this Eastern European country, just to be safe. Even if youre not dancing, drinking or singing, you will have fun watching the Colombians doing it. Perhaps there were too many reported cases of intoxicated bee keepers allowing their bees to escape? . My father was red hair and everybody called him mono. Tall dandelions and other weeds are banned in Pueblo Large dandelions in southern Colorado. Apparently, any other time of year is okay for a water gun fight, but if you go for New Year's, shop owners won't sell you the plastic toy. But don't even think about trying to enjoy this childhood pastime anywhere else. Bien gracias y usted? It's illegal to leave dog waste on the isle of Capri in Italy, as in many places. Gringo: Is Being Called a Gringo Offensive in Colombia? And on the Medellin Guru website we previous looked at the top 5 coffee shops in El Poblado and the top 8 coffee shops in Laureles. Beauty is really important in Colombia, especially women are putting a lot of effort in. You may not forsake or insult your parents, you must take care of their farm for them, and you must provide for them, among other laws. 4. Have a question? In addition, Colombia has has more public holidays than most countries with a total of 18 holidays during the year. Not sure why anyone would want to make a trek around the ruins and dirt in heels surely it's tough to walk and will damage the shoes but the Greeks put this ban in place to protect its ruins from damage caused by the sharp shoes. The typical granny talking to her little dog in a high pitched voice and dressing it like a baby. Medellin Guru Annual Subscriptions Now Offering a Discount! Food insecurity in Colombia more than doubled in Petro sacks three ministers ahead of Colombias local Colombias army turned Medellin into murder capital of Colombias prosecution all but collapsed, statistics suggest. Just let the sleeping bears lie. When you take a selfie with Buddha, you are turning your back on him. if there is no driver. If not, you could be fined up to $10,000 and even spend up to two years in jail if you interrupt a wedding. The state passed legislation prohibiting bear fighting in 2000. My embarrassment tolerance went sky high since Im living in Colombia. Why? In Canada, it's now legal to engage in oral sex with your pet. The Colombian people are very patriotic and their laws reflect this. Should you find yourself in need of a hotel room for the night, you may want to fess up if you aren't a married couple. Fans of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team have a tradition of throwing octopuses onto the ice for good luck. Learning the language is one thing, but learning about the culture is completely different. Note the above photo is Colombians celebrating Christmas, something that Colombians do on a completely different level. For someone who loves ocean surfing, you will be impressed to learn that Peru is one of the best surfing locations in the world. Como estas? According to Law 28 of 1925, it was established that the day of the flag was to be held on August 7 of each year in commemoration of the victory of Simn Bolvar in the Battle of Boyac in 1819. Just take a minute and picture in your mind how this law came into being. Also, I am way too friendly to say no to a waiter for charging me tip. It's illegal to kill Bigfoot Bigfoot hunters, beware. This includes masks, helmets, scarves, hats, fake beards and even burkas. You can get cited for driving too slow ly . Just another funny and unusual thing I get to see in Medelln. ( IC 7.1-3-10-5 ). Im from Medelln and maybe I can help you with mono meanings. If you plant a flower in a pot without a drainage hole, you have created a public nuisance. Paraguay Facts for Kids. Some Colombian friends told me, that the braces are like a status symbol, for wealth or having money. In 2011, a Swiss man was fined more than $100 for his bare-bottomed walk. Colombia is a different country with different habits and some things Colombians do may seem to be weird by foreigners. When making a payment that is more than $10, it is illegal to pay with more than a single coin under the Currency Act in Canada. When I arrived in Medelln there were some things Colombians do that clearly stood out right away. On Feb. 21, Colombia's Constitutional Court legalized abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. Thanks a lot for highlighting them. no longer applicable (in regard to current culture or modern law). "Colombia now is the country with the most progressive abortion laws in Latin America and the . However, these weird or outlandish laws are actually on the books, whether they're enforced or not.. Besides that, this is so true lol. My wifes aunties often call our young son my name then our sons name. We have no idea. It's illegal to let your donkey (yes, you ready that right) sleep in a bathtub in Arizona. 1. No spitting (it's a public nuisance) Donkeys may not sleep in bathtubs. 6639481. Another country trying to combat noise pollution in weird ways is Spain. The artwork has to be approved as art, so hanging a picture sketched on a Post-It won't do. 6. You may also face a fine, depending on the contents of your barrel. Since the law in Colombia does not allow to charge tips directly, in Colombia they usually ask you (especially in tourist areas) if they can charge you a tip. And finally may even have a small cup before going to bed. The beautiful city prevents people from playing dominoes in public, allegedly because the pieces make too much noise when they clink as players put them down. 1. I also sampled some amazing cheese wrapped in platanos leaves in Tolima ! A man in Zhengzhou was forbidden from naming his newborn son "@" because of the rule stating that all given names must be translatable into Mandarin. This sign of disrespect is punishable by imprisonment in Sri Lanka. 03 February 2017 In the country that supplies a large proportion of the worlds coffee, there is a surprising lack of Starbucks. The law 198 sees thatOh gloria inmarcesible! is played daily at 6am and 6pm both on the radio and on public television. They might just dont know the answer to that question and probably wont tell you that they dont know. I was out wandering with a friend on Haad Rin Beach, Koh Phangan Island, when we ran into a local walking his pet monkey. Heck my friends even call it brown time. A few of our bizarre, unexplained laws. I think one very important thing that was left out is that all conversations whether it be social or business, are always prefaced by such lines as, como estas, que mas, bien o no, como le va, etc. In most countries, a law enters into force on the date of publication in the official gazette. They do it in order to let the seat cool down before they sit on it. Minca. If you're caught feeding the pigeons, you could face fines of up to 700. In Cali, Colombia, a woman may only have sex with her husband, and the first time this happens her mother must be in . love from Colombia . Moose aren't allowed on the sidewalk. The cuddly little bear all stuffed with fluff also gasp! It is illegal for autonomous vehicles to drive over 60 miles per hour. Yes, the dreams of many children everywhere are coming true! Goldfish are not allowed to be kept in bowls and must, instead, have a full-sized aquarium. Colombians in Antioquia take solicitous politness to a whole new level that I must admit fatugues even me. There a many weird and strange laws in Colombia. Not that South Africa has bears, but if it did, it would be illegal to wrestle with them. So much so, that the country has made driving a dirty car illegal here. Whether it is through tarot cards, palm reading or any other method, fortune telling is banned across the state of Maryland. Also, theres a really high tolerance for dogs everywhere. LOL! We compiled a list of weird laws around the world you may not believe exist. Privacy, 10 Reasons Why Colombia Should Be On Your Radar, TEFL Jobs Abroad and TEFL Jobs Online - ESLstarter, ESL Pals Q&A: ESL Curriculum for Kids and Adults, Keeping College Students Motivated in ESL Learning. 3) Vanity braces, as a fashion statement, are just as common, and un-needed, in Thailand. The ruins are nearly 2,500 years old, so be respectful and wear some soft-soled shoes when you visit. It is illegal to cross in front of a car with its engine running. DON'T TOUCH ELECTRIC WIRES Or how enjoyable somethings can be that you never did before like dancing Salsa. - International tourist arrivals: 10.3 million. Colombians tend to drink coffee all day long. Tweet this. Ive spent many months and weeks in Cali since the 90s. Find out more, Copyright ESLstarter 2007-2023. Completely oblivious to others outside their family or group. The law . more efficent: Santos, Think tanks propose new court to combat corruption in Colombia, Judges unfamiliar with international legal norms concerning womens rights: Colombias former minister of justice, Colombias justice minister begs judges to stop shutting prisons, promises new prisons soon, Colombias new prison code wont cause massive prison releases: govt. Think tanks propose new court to combat corruption Colombia and Bolivia want UN to decriminalize coca, Juan Gonzalo Angel Restrepo, a.k.a. Colombians love nothing better than dipping a special, melting cheese into a steaming hot mug of hot chocolate. In my time in Medelln, I have noticed several things Colombians do that foreigners may find weird or even funny. If you are riding an animal or a carriage pulled by animals, you must honor all traffic laws. At times they say that but are still laying in bed and havent even showered yet. Be polite and cover tattoos, respect "no photograph" signs, and don't turn your back on him. This means that if you buy a phone in the country, you will be unable to turn off the shutter sound. But the fact that the law exists and that it had to have been made within the past 100 years is fascinating. If saving gas is your goal, don't take a road trip through . Japan finally lifted the ban in 2105. Angela, Hi Angela, thank you for the explanation! And then, you'll be fined. The voluntary tip in restaurants in Colombia is currently about 10 percent. Although the legislative trend in Colombia has tended towards the criminalization of possession and consumption of psychoactive substances, decriminalization prevailed when it comes to jurisprudence. This was a real wake up call for me as this is very much embedded into their very polite culture. In an effort to keep the streets of Barcelona free of beachgoers in bikinis and men going shirtless, lawmakers in the Spanish town on the Mediterranean banned anyone from being topless or in a swimsuit in public anywhere but the beach or a pool. Liked it? In addition, it is illegal to spook a horse that someone is riding. Why this law exists is anyone's guess. Brazil is another, however, it is 10 times the size of Colombia! (We have to admit, that's a pretty good rule.). And always after saying Gracias. Dogs cannot travel in the back of open-top vehicles. Forget about everything you thought you knew about Colombia. This was something I was not used to. 13 / 50. If you're caught without this gadget in your car, you'll be expected . It also applies to trout, smelt, freshwater fish, lampreys and eels, but it doesn't specify what is considered suspicious. This section creates an offence in England and Wales "for any . Or really to describe people? Russians care about looks. In my corner of America, clothing comfort consists of flip flops, cargo shorts, oversized hoodies and yoga/sweat pants to practically every event or outing.