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WEIRD LAWS

Why tourists should never walk around a Singapore hotel room naked or mention 1966 in Germany

Countries all over the world have bizarre rules that can get tourists into trouble, like the law than bans kissing on a railway in France

In Singapore, a person could get arrested for walking around their hotel room naked

EXPERIENCING new cultures is one of the best parts of travelling abroad, but sometimes it can backfire if you haven't done your homework.

Countries all over the world have bizarre rules that could get hapless tourists into trouble.

 Countries all over the world have bizarre rules that could get hapless tourists into trouble (file photo)
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Countries all over the world have bizarre rules that could get hapless tourists into trouble (file photo)Credit: Getty Images

For example, in Singapore a person could get arrested for walking around their hotel room naked, while in France you're advised not to kiss on the railway.

If you’re visiting an Islamic country like Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates or the Maldives, travel experts advise you to leave your sex toys at home or face having them confiscated.

And in Singapore, you even have to be on your guard behind closed doors.

There's a rule in the popular holiday destination that says walking around naked in your hotel room, along with singing and smoking in public, are all against the law.

 In Singapore, a person could get arrested for walking around their hotel room naked (file photo) 
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In Singapore, a person could get arrested for walking around their hotel room naked (file photo) Credit: Getty Images

The law, which came into force in 1996, says that a person cannot be naked in a private place while being exposed to public view - if they are, they could pay a fine or even end up in prison.

Germany, one of the world’s most liberal democracies, can also be a legal landmine for tourists.

For example, the fact that there’s no speed limit on parts of the Autobahn sounds like a lot of fun, but if run out of fuel on the Autobahn, you’ll cop a huge fine for stopping without a good reason.

It’s also against the law to mention “1966” — the year England won the World Cup against West Germany — in any football stadium in Germany.

 At the Oktoberfest in Munich, you can’t be pronounced legally drunk, no matter how drunk you actually are (file photo) 
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At the Oktoberfest in Munich, you can’t be pronounced legally drunk, no matter how drunk you actually are (file photo) Credit: Getty Images

On the upside though, you can’t be pronounced legally drunk, no matter how drunk you actually are, at the Oktoberfest in Munich.

Across the border in France, widely considered to be the most romantic country on earth, it is illegal to kiss on the railways.

Meanwhile, in Switzerland it is illegal to wash your car on a Sunday.

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