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. ), optionally filled with guava jam. The Christmas season in Colombia unofficially tends to start on December 7, which is known as Da de las Velitas (Day of Candles). Here are some of the most random and unique laws in Colorado, in no particular order: 1. A welcome change for most, you can find all three Colombian Starbucks locations in Colombia within just a few street of each other. 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. These things Colombians do you will need to get used to, but thats one of the nice things about foreign countries. In other words how are you doing? Find out more, Copyright ESLstarter 2007-2023. One of the things that stands out to me as being unique is the intentional way Colombians dress and their attention to their appearance. In this article I look at my top 12 things Colombians do that foreigners may find weird or funny. Why? 1. Many Colombians has no idea what they are celebrating or why, but love to throw lavish parties anyway and enjoy drinking and dancing with friends and strangers alike. Whereas in the U.S. or Europe, it seems almost only kids wear braces. Adam Skowronski/flickr Raccoons are fair game, but only until 2 a.m. 3. If youve been wondering why, much to your chagrin, that Aguila (alcohol content 4%) you were nursing appeared to improve your spatial awareness and make people less interesting, look no further than to this law. The law extends to goldfish as well. Aww now I want to go back to Colombia for christmas! FACT#16. Its used for people with light hair color, so it could be light brown, blonde or even red hair. Read on to know more. Our son Joseph is seven years old and born in the United States with light brown hair. CNBCTV18.com has handpicked a few strange yet intriguing laws that could get you in trouble in another country. Don't Take Cheap Buses and Dubious Taxis. We don't understand this reasoning, given how Sevilla is a lively town where live music is played in the streets and flamenco dancers put on shows in public spaces. This is a day dedicated to playing practical jokes on friends and family. So, the parents must beware of such strange laws that are in effect and should be sure of locking the liquor cabinet when they leave the house. 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. Yes, you read that right. The weirdest thing about some laws is that they ever needed to existlike in Oklahoma, where people were wrestling bears at such an astonishing rate that the state had to step in and institute a. 1. But what about laws that don't make any sense? Overall hygiene is very important to Colombian culture from what I gather irrespective of class. But for the many dog owners who ignore this law, science is now against you. In Alabama it is illegal to wear a fake mustache that causes laughter in church, while mustaches are illegal in Indiana if the bearer as a tendency to habitually kiss other humans. While women across the nations protested, the law is in effect and you can no longer buy lace garments. Germans believe you have the power to keep your car properly gassed up, so if you run out of gas, it's your own fault. This means it cannot cross the road to get to the other side. Before you ask, yes, kids are included in this restriction and parents foot the bill. Japan finally lifted the ban in 2105. Another country trying to combat noise pollution in weird ways is Spain. Angela, Hi Angela, thank you for the explanation! 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. Let me out of here!!!!!! It's just one of the many odd, unique things that have occurred in the Bolivarian Republic since Hugo Chavez was elected in 1998 and promptly flipped the country's regime from democratic to socialist. The colors of the Colombia flag are yellow, blue and red. Stretching for over 300km, it is home to the largest bicycle route in South America, and definitely one of the longest in the world. If you're a single woman in La Paz, Bolivia, drink up! Forgot to enjoy the food, the kindness of the people, the music, the beautiful places, the paisa culture, the beautiful landscapes, the fauna and the flora or rather lost the coming to COLOMBIA and my beautiful land. But in Colombia, coffee shops dont rely only on a morning rush. 4. Skamania County, Washington, passed a law in 1969 deeming the "slaying of Bigfoot to be a felony and. No spitting (it's a public nuisance) Donkeys may not sleep in bathtubs. 03 February 2017 Mothers calling their sons papi and fathers calling their daughters mami. This includes masks, helmets, scarves, hats, fake beards and even burkas. 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. Hi Rich! These weird facts will help you get over the culture shock when you relocate to one of the worlds happiest countries. Don't get caught blowing bubbles in the streets! . So much so, that the country has made driving a dirty car illegal here. No "Bat Signals" (or any other beacon) allowed in the sky. Thanks a lot Charlie! The list of celebrations in Colombia seems to be endless. If you are a fluent English speaker who craves a casual, laid-back lifestyle among a welcoming host nation, then why not teach English in Colombia? 1) A super-polite Con (mucho) gusto, even though youve rejected their sales pitch and declined to buy something. A luxury that so many are yet to experience is air conditioning. So, keep this in mind when youre having a date, appointment, meeting or whatever it might be. Camouflage is only allowed to be worn by the country's military personnel. Why this law exists is anyone's guess. Take a second to support Medellin Guru on Patreon! adding ta(s) to(s) to the end of words is a very common way to describe people. This stirred up a big debate on whether or not this means flatulence is now a criminal offense. FACT#17. Flirting with the "eyes or hands" is illegal in San Antonio, Texas. Yes, you are absolutely right about that. Best to leave your bear attire at home if visiting this Eastern European country, just to be safe. People place paper lanterns and candles, which placed on porches, balconies, streets, sidewalks, squares and parks in cities and pueblos throughout Colombia. No obscenities during phone calls. 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. In most parts of the Caribbean islands it is illegal to wear camouflage. People dont usually give a seat up on packed buses (unless its very obvious ie. They might just dont know the answer to that question and probably wont tell you that they dont know. Links to additional digital content are provided when available. With thousands of pigeons descending upon Saint Mark's Square and Venice, lured by the the tourists readily handing out food in exchange for Instagram-worthy photos, Venice lawmakers officially made it illegal to feed the pesky fowl in 2008. (Denver) Flickr/James. If you're caught feeding the pigeons, you could face fines of up to 700. A really nice compilation of differences. 3) Vanity braces, as a fashion statement, are just as common, and un-needed, in Thailand. About the name-calling I also agree with you. 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. In the town of Sarpourenx, you cannot die within the city limits unless you already have your burial plot purchased in the local cemetery. Chewing gum in Singapore Matt Ragen/Shutterstock If you ask (especially a stranger) a question, like: where is the nearest supermarket or where can I get a hamburger. This means that if you buy a phone in the country, you will be unable to turn off the shutter sound. Hi Tacha, One day of the year, no personal cars are allowed, people can only use public transportation. Under employment law in Colombia, employees are entitled to five days of bereavement leave in the event of the death of a parent, in-law, grandparent, sibling, child, spouse, or partner. In Finland, however, taxi drivers are required by law to pay royalty fees for songs they play while driving passengers. A receipt with two totals, one with a tip (27,315 pesos) and one without a tip (25,000 pesos). Still, I think it is something that, a foreigner need to get used to. Many Europeans are freezing inside buses or hotels in the US, whereas many people visiting Europe in the summer find the heat unbearable . You usually see this behavior in movies. But they are normal for Colombians. Kaparot is a traditional Jewish religious ritual that takes place around the time of the High Holidays. Tweet this. Perhaps there were too many reported cases of intoxicated bee keepers allowing their bees to escape? 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. Better to get the picture-perfect shot of Venice's beautiful bridges instead. 13. When packing for a trip to Greece, make sure you have the right shoes. #DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness #DoctorStrange2 #MarvelStudiosWatch Doctor Strange 2 New Final Trailer concept (More Info About This Video Down Below!. 6639481. Sorry ladies (and gents), but Russia doesn't want you wearing anything lacy underneath your clothing. elderly person etc) but they will ask you if you want to put your shoulder or shopping bag on their knee whether you are young or old. 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. They just dont seem to prioritize time very much. this isnt just a Colombian thing. You can get cited for driving too slow ly . According to this law, if the girl is kidnapped and married, then her crime is dismissed. What an individual can dispose . Until 1215, even being accused of a crime resulted in the punishment of enduring an ordeal that revealed a person's innocence or guilt. In Colombia, the everyday man wears dress shoes, khakis or slacks and long sleeve shirts or polos. The law was put on the books in an effort to reduce crime. 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. With a 1.5 mile long tidal wave that you can surf, be sure to hit its coastlines and surf the wave. Aliviado? It's not the only wackadoodle law that still exists in the States. Also, I am way too friendly to say no to a waiter for charging me tip. Before you get any crazy ideas and have too much Scottish whisky you should know you could get a ticket for drunk cow riding. Arepas taste lot better with cheese mixed into the dough. If you are going to another country you may find things that you are not use too and that is exactly what this article is about. Also, I have to mention, that the cheese here is not as salty and strong in taste. 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. It is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence. My embarrassment tolerance went sky high since Im living in Colombia. We refer to mono or mona to blondes. When people first began sighting Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, in the 1800s, British Columbia made it illegal to kill him/her/it. And when seeing something that is unusual or unknown, try not judge them for doing it, but to try it yourself. The ban went into place to prevent "traffic accidents" and "public disorder.". Same with your height or your body size, its possible that you get called gordito (fat) if youre bigger or flaco (skinny) because youre skinny, and so on. Leave the Camo attire at home when you head to the Caribbean to wear it is a big no-no in many island nations, including Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbuda and Jamaica. LOL!! It is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor. Surely he could have suggested that they translate it to . A government committee has recently been tasked with cleaning up Colombias legal code by targeting outdated laws for elimination. *When taking your driving license, all the drivers were also required to pass a morality test. And finally may even have a small cup before going to bed. There were three ordeals: Ordeal by fire: The accused held a red-hot iron bar in their hands and walked three meters. the other two Im not sure of. Of all of the 12 things listed I can add several more positives and only one serious negative. Russians care about looks. 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.". I hope the article helps other Expats and travelers in the future to avoid the same mistakes . Technically, the full 1872 law mandates people not be drunk when in charge of a cow, horse, carriage or steam engine. Maybe because I have many Hispanic friends. Just let the sleeping bears lie. After Swiss and German travelers decided to make naked hiking a thing in Switzerland a decade ago (really! Clearly, such obsolete laws are not unique to Colombia. Cheese, I fond the these not neutral but just more creamy. Since the building is considered a royal family palace, if anyone dies inside it, they must be buried with full honors. Thats why it surprised me even more that they nickname people by their appearance. I never heard about the brown time, but my friends and I call it the Colombian time. In Colombia, its not unusual seeing Colombians of all ages wearing braces. 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. The future of Medellin Guru needs the help of readers to remain ad free. Arkansas. The typical granny talking to her little dog in a high pitched voice and dressing it like a baby. 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. Strange laws from Latin America Some laws are obvious. The Air Fouling Legislation" of 2011 made it illegal for people in Malawi to "foul the air.". "Colombia now is the country with the most progressive abortion laws in Latin America and the . It is illegal to cross in front of a car with its engine running. These publications may also contain other information including the text of international agreements, court decisions, official announcements, and government notices. Some Colombians may not even know what some of the Colombia holidays stand for, but will certainly celebrate. If you don't pick up your dog poop, it may be possible to use DNA testing to determine the identity of your dog. On the island of Majorca, for example, you could pay 100, but you could pay up to 1,500 in Galicia. It is also considered disrespectful to point your finger at Buddha, and sometimes there are bans on taking photos with the statues. I now heard several times Colombians calling somebody mono even when he wasnt blond at all. Have a nice weekend . 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. Spending 60 nuevos soles to travel with a company like Cruz del Sur or Ormeo is a far better deal than . Though it is one of the strange laws in America, its enactment has been beneficial. A cup of hot chocolate, bread and cheese on the side to dip in, photo by Peter Angritt. Whether it is through tarot cards, palm reading or any other method, fortune telling is banned across the state of Maryland. OMG Name calling. We compiled a list of weird laws around the world you may not believe exist. And then, you'll be fined. Edy by weird dont think bad. Im from Medelln and maybe I can help you with mono meanings. Although not illegal to have tattoos of Buddha, a British woman was jailed for three days in 2014 for inappropriate tattoos of the man 70 percent of Sri Lankans feel is a prophet and avatar of the god Vishnu. This was a real wake up call for me as this is very much embedded into their very polite culture. Countries like Malta and Lebanon have strange laws against women. And the fines vary by location at their discretion. Suspiciously holding a salmon in the UK Ben Bryant/Shutterstock Parliament's famous Salmon Act of 1986 states that it's illegal to hold a salmon under suspicious circumstances. If saving gas is your goal, don't take a road trip through . 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. Not that South Africa has bears, but if it did, it would be illegal to wrestle with them. 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. 0:0. The guy down the street is fair game, though. Of course thats not the only reason because many just couldnt afford braces as a teen and are now catching up on the dental work. It's not that you can't go to the bathroom, but you won't be able to make noise while you do it. Colombia has the largest amount of unique wildlife in any part of the world. 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. Despite being the most populous (and arguably most influential) country in the world, China tends to get a bum rap, possibly because of its colorful history of human rights . See Minca as a great location for anyone interested in nature and exploring nature reserves, parks, and other protected areas. Instead, being hesitant around the issue and explaining their reasoning instead of just saying no. and just for completeness, the breads in the first photo on the left is Almojabana and right is Pan de Yuca. Christmas lights inside Parque Norte in Medelln last year. Colombians love nothing better than dipping a special, melting cheese into a steaming hot mug of hot chocolate. They claim it is for health and safety. However, in such a marriage, the condition is that divorce cannot be taken before 5 years. Article 6 of the Civil Code: The bees that flee a hive and come to rest in a tree that is not owned by their previous owner, return to a state of nature and liberty, and anyone may seize them for their honeycomb, as long as they have the permission of the owner of the land upon which they rest. They help you as much as they can and would never dare saying No directly to someone. Paraguay's flag is one of the world's oldest national flags. For me, it wasnt really an issue because it is pretty similar to the culture in Switzerland. 1. Always make sure that if this person doesnt show up, you already have another plan. The worst part is that the law is actually strictly enforced. Theres no age limit for partying here. If you have a potty mouth, be sure it's in check before you visit! We're all for intellectual property protection, but this seems a bit extreme. While these lists are amusing, they are often riddled with factual inaccuracies. Colombians tend to drink coffee all day long. Just take a minute and picture in your mind how this law came into being. Brazil is another, however, it is 10 times the size of Colombia! But don't even think about trying to enjoy this childhood pastime anywhere else. Photo taken on the dia de la pereza in Itagi. Keep your eyes on your gas gauge and fill 'er up when you get low. Photo of a women with braces outside of a dentist officeC. The Salmon Act 1986 is a weird English law that deals primarily with the licensing and regulation of salmon dealing in Scotland and in England and Wales. Also, theres a really high tolerance for dogs everywhere. Here are 15 of the most bizarre and obscure laws still in effect today: It is illegal for women to drive vehicles while wearing a housecoat in all of California San Diego homeowners who have Christmas lights on their houses past February 2 may be fined up to $250 It is illegal to pour salt on a highway in Hermosa Beach And you end up going in circles. The law 198 sees thatOh gloria inmarcesible! is played daily at 6am and 6pm both on the radio and on public television. Bien (grrrr) Colombians will rather tell you a story of why something doesnt work, instead of just saying No. So, I am tentatively planning to buy three tickets and fly in for a week beginning December 25th. In Colombia, that just brings the specialness of each day to light! Find out more here, Tel: +44 (0) 161 818 8864 info@eslstarter.com Skype: eslstarter. New Year celebrations in Cambodia get so crazy that the capital city of Siam Reap won't allow for the sale of water pistols leading up to and during its big celebrations. But it would be boring if you would know everything already and everything was the same, right? Sometimes its automatically on the bill without asking. Classically, it is performed by grasping a live chicken by the sholder blades and moving around one's head three times, symbolically transferring one's sins to the chicken. The country's Coat of Arms is on the front and its Treasury Seal is on the back with its motto, 'Paz y Justica' (Peace and Justice). Here are 14 strange laws to keep in mind next time you book a trip. The following resources have been created or curated by the Law Library of Congress related to this nation. 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. You'd think this law was passed a hundred years ago and is now obsolete, but in reality, it was passed in 2009 and is occasionally enforced. 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. Tibetan Buddist monks are not allowed to reincarnate after they die unless they have been granted permission from the government. Good morning to all. Sometimes, these laws border on the seriously ridiculous, and other times they point to important cultural values that might be different than your own. Rather than be a weird law that is no longer used, it's a weird law that isn't enforced but that continues to be relevant. Oh noo!! Here are some funny, dumb state laws from Nebraska to Wyoming. - International tourist arrivals: 10.3 million. In case you are wondering, the same law states you cannot have a loaded firearm on you while drunk.