The United States of America is historically one of the ultimate expat destinations. Known as the land of hope and glory, expats from all over the world flock there to start a new life and fulfil their American Dream.
Recent news reports have also given encouraging news for expats thinking of venturing to the USA: it was revealed that expats are behind 25 of the top 50 cutting edge companies, and we also learnt that British expats in the USA are now able to transfer their pension into a QROPS, giving them the potential retire with a greater sum of money.
Expatriating to another part of the West also has other benefits too, as further flung destinations often have drastically different rules, culture and law. At least in the States a Brit will pretty much be following the same rulebook… or will they?
Well, turns out that American laws aren’t always as clear as you may think, and that every single state in America has at least one bizarre law, a law that could out-weird those in any other far off location.
Alabama: It's against the law to don a fake moustache that makes people laugh in church.
Alaska: It’s illegal to whisper in someone's ear while they’re hunting moose.
Arizona: If you cut down a down a cactus, you could face a twenty-five-year prison term.
Arkansas: It's illegal to mispronounce Arkansas.
California: Eating an orange in your bathtub is prohibited.
Colorado: You are not allowed lend your neighbour a vacuum cleaner.
Connecticut: By law, a pickle is only a pickle if it bounces.
Delaware: It's against the law to get married on a dare.
Washington, D.C.: It's illegal to call someone a coward in public if they refuse to accept a challenge to duel.
Florida: You must pay to tie an elephant to a parking meter.
Georgia: You may only change the clothes on a shop dummy if you close the blinds first.
Hawaii: You can be fined for not owning a boat.
Idaho: A man cannot give his girlfriend a box of chocolates weighing less than fifty pounds.
Illinois: French poodles are banned from the opera.
Indiana: The value of pi is not 3.1415, it’s 4.
Iowa: One-armed piano players cannot charge money to perform.
Kansas: It's forbidden to throw knives at men in striped suits.
Kentucky: All citizens must shower at least once a year.
Louisiana: Biting someone with natural teeth is simple assault, but biting someone with false teeth is aggravated assault.
Maine: Keep your Christmas decorations up after January 14 and you'll be hit with a fine.
Maryland: It's against the law to wash or scrub a sink, regardless of dirt.
Massachusetts: Gorillas may not ride in the backseat of a car.
Michigan: A woman must have her husband’s permission if she wishes to cut her own hair.
Minnesota: It's unlawful to paint a sparrow and then sell it as a parakeet.
Mississippi: Dogs must be wearing nappies when walked.
Missouri: Children can buy shotguns in Kansas City.
Montana: It's illegal for a woman to open her husband's mail.
Nebraska: Bar owners may not sell beer unless they also sell soup.
Nevada: Moustached men may not kiss women.
New Hampshire: You cannot sell the clothes you're wearing to pay off a gambling debt.
New Jersey: Men cannot knit during fishing season.
New Mexico: Women may not appear unshaven in public.
New York: When in a lift, you must talk to no one, fold your hands, and look toward the door.
North Carolina: It's illegal to sing off-key.
North Dakota: It's against the law to fall asleep with your shoes on.
Ohio: You must honk the horn of your vehicle whenever you pass another car.
Oklahoma: It's illegal to take a bite out someone else’s hamburger.
Oregon: Washed dishes must be drip-dried.
Pennsylvania: It's forbidden to sleep on top of an outdoor refrigerator.
Rhode Island: Biting off another person's leg is strictly against the law.
South Carolina: If a man promises to marry a woman, he must go through with the marriage.
South Dakota: It is against the law to fall asleep in a cheese factory.
Tennessee: The sale of hollow logs is outlawed.
Texas: It’s illegal to shoot a buffalo from the second floor of a building.
Utah: You must drink milk.
Vermont: Women must have written permission from their husbands if they wish to wear false teeth.
Virginia: Tickling a woman is against the law.
Washington: It's against the law to pretend that one's parents are wealthy.
West Virginia: If you make fun of someone who does not accept a challenge, you risk a six-month prison sentence.
Wisconsin: Margarine may not be substituted for butter in a restaurant.
Wyoming: Rabbit photography is forbidden from January to April.