Bizarre food laws, part 1
It goes without saying that we don’t put ice cream in the back pocket of our trousers. Or does it? In the US, there’s actually a law about it (just in case). And this is just one of the many laws that leave us scratching our heads.
People in the US are rather cautious when it comes to food. Americans are known for suing frequently and quickly. A woman once walked out of court with $480,000 because her McDonald’s coffee was allegedly too hot. To prevent these kinds of lawsuits, you’ll find disclaimers, laws and rules every few metres. These are the most bizarre ones:
Saying ‘no’
Things can get pretty hot in the state of Arizona, and they have a solution (read: law) for that. In this state, which consists largely of desert, you’re not allowed to refuse if someone offers you a glass of water. Do they have a similar law for wine? Then we’ll be the first to pack our moving boxes.
Having an ice cream in your pocket
In the state of Alabama, it’s illegal to have an ice cream in your pocket. Your back pocket, that is, because having one in the front isn’t a problem (fortunately?). And it’s not just Alabama: you can’t get away with it in Kentucky and Georgia either. Back in the day, when people still travelled on horseback and on foot, horse thieves used ice cream in their back pockets to lure horses. Get it now? It was a good law back then, but these days it’s a little outdated, if you ask me.
Getting angry
We’ve all experienced it at some point: a vending machine swallowing your money and then giving you nothing in return. Machine out of order. Annoying. Giving the thing a quick smack might help and at the very least provide some relief. But if you’re in Derby, Kansas, you’ll have to keep your anger in check. It’s illegal to hit vending machines. Time to count to ten…
Confusing a cucumber with a pickle
Following previous confusion between a pickle and a cucumber, the state of Connecticut took action. According to a law, a pickle may only be labelled a pickle if it bounces. We hope for the people of Connecticut’s sake that not all pickles are tested in advance while still in the jar.
Breaking crockery
Clumsy people, take note! A visit to Florida could end up costing you quite a lot. In this state, it’s illegal to break more than three pieces of crockery per day or chip more than four mugs.
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