This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Exeter chapter.
It is always important to adhere to the customs and cultures of your host country as a matter of respect. However, the Foreign Office has warned that something as innocent as chewing gum or wearing camouflage clothing could in fact land you in a lot of trouble on holiday.
- Venice: Feeding the pigeons, both here and in San Francisco, is illegal due to potential human health concerns as well as the hopes of deterring the birds from the city so as to limit their damage to monuments. Those in possession of birdseed will be fined and people are even encouraged to report bird-feeders to the police!
- Japan: Bringing pseudoephedrine, a substance commonly found in nasal sprays and Sudafed, into Japan is a punishable offence. Be sure to monitor what medicines your mum packs in your bag!
- Singapore: Chewing gum is banned in Singapore under the ‘Regulations of Imports and Exports Regulations’ as a result of incorrect disposal practices (e.g. under chairs and tables)! The penalty for ‘smuggling’ gum into Singapore can be anything up to a year in jail and a 10,000 Singapore Dollar (roughly £5,000) fine! It can however be bought from a doctor for therapeutic reasons if prescribed.
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- Fiji: Unlike on many European beaches, sunbathing topless here is a criminal offence that could result in hefty fines. Save evening out the tan-lines for another day!
- Florence: Had a long day traipsing around museums and churches and all you want to do is plonk yourself down on the steps and fill the void with your tasty sandwich and refreshing Coke? Only if you’d like that with a large fine on the side. It is an offence to eat or drink anywhere in the immediate vicinity of churches and public buildings in Florence.
- Saudi Arabia: Photographing government buildings, military installations and palaces will result in your arrest and detention. Other everyday things banned in Saudi Arabia include selling or dressing in anything red on Valentine’s Day; importing or consuming anything pork under Islamic law; and for women the list goes on (including being forbidden from driving, going to the gym, playing in a sports team, doing certain jobs and wandering alone).
- Barbados: Just below the obvious list of illegal activities involving drugs you will find the following statement: “the wearing of any form of camouflage is illegal in Barbados”. By far the strangest one so far, it is strictly prohibited for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing. Prosecutors will be charged with fines.
So there you go! You learn something new every day. Apparently it is worth checking the local laws and customs before jetting off!
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