While there is no end to the list
of bans that are absurd, weird,
or downright silly, here we have
shortlisted the most ridiculous
ones for you. Just go through the
list, and let us know what you
have to say.
1. Video Games
Where: Greece
To curb the rise of online
gambling in Greece, the
government passed a law in
2002 that banned all electronic
computer games, including
gaming consoles. The reason
behind this blanket ban was
apparently the inability of the
government to distinguish the
"innocuous video games from
illegal gambling machines".
Unfortunately, this law holds true
even today, and the government
has done little about it.
2. Western Hairstyles for Men
Where: Iran
The governments of the Middle-
Eastern countries do not support
the spread of western culture,
and Iran is no different. In a
move to keep the people away
from its influence, the
government of Iran has come up
with a list of government-
approved hairstyles for men.
Unfortunately, western hairstyles,
such as mohawks, spikes, and
mullets, do not find their place in
this list, making it illegal to sport
any of these. Hair salons that
happen to go against the law can
be penalized, and even their
license can be canceled by the
government.
3. Being Emo
Where: Russia
In the year 2008, the Russian
government came to the
conclusion that the emo trend
that originated during the 1980s
was responsible for the rising
number of suicides among teens.
According to the government,
the emo culture was a
dangerous trend, because its
"negative ideology" triggered
depression and suicidal
tendencies among teens. Hence,
it was declared illegal to follow
this culture and turn up in emo
clothing at public places.
4. Reincarnation (Without
Prior Government Permission)
Where: China
Yes, you've read it right! In China,
it is illegal for someone to
reincarnate without prior
permission from the state, and
the ban was imposed in 2007.
The motive behind such a weird
law, which can be hardly
imposed, is to exercise control
over the Tibetan Buddhists.
Wondering how? Well, in Tibetan
Buddhism, reincarnation is a
sacred belief and some Tibetan
monks, who are known as tulkus
or the "living Buddhas", have the
ability to choose how and where
they wish to be reborn. The Dalai
Lama is also one of them, and the
current Dalai Lama who is 77
years old, refuses to be born in
Tibet as long as it is under
Chinese control. Since he has
already begun his succession
plan, it is widely speculated that
with the ban on reincarnation in
place, the future will see the
emergence of two Dalai Lamas,
one chosen by the Tibetan
monks and the other chosen by
the Chinese government.

5. Baby Names
Where: Denmark
If you're in Denmark and looking
for an original name for your
baby, then you're in for
disappointment! The
government has practically
banned "creative" baby names,
and parents are left with little
option but to choose from a list
of 7,000 baby names that have
been approved by the state.
However, if you're really keen for
a particular name that is not on
the list, you need to seek special
permission.
6. Driving for Women
Where: Saudi Arabia
According to the laws in Saudi
Arabia, it is illegal for women to
drive a car. In fact, it is the only
country in the world that
prevents women from driving.
This is because of a patriarchal
society in which gender roles are
strictly defined by the Sharia
(Islamic law).
7. Valentine's Day
Where: Saudi Arabia
The government of Saudi Arabia
finds the celebration of
Valentine's Day as a violation of
Islamic beliefs, and hence, the
florists and gift shops across the
country are instructed to remove
red roses and anything and
everything that can serve as a
gift to your Valentine, weeks
before the holiday. However, the
ban has given rise to a thriving
black market of Valentine stuff in
the country, where you can easily
buy gifts, soft toys, and red roses,
albeit at a much higher price.
8. Chewing Gum
Where: Singapore
The government of Singapore
has imposed a ban on chewing
gum since 1992. This makes
import and sale of chewing gum
illegal in the city. While such a
ban might appear to make no
sense, the objective behind the
ban is to keep the streets and
public places clean, and solve the
problem of chewing gum
sticking to tables, chairs, elevator
doors, etc. However, the key
reason behind the ban, as put
forward by the government, is
the disruption of the subway
system in the city, as chewing
gum sticking to doors would
cause unnecessary delay.
9. Time Travel
Where: China
Now, if you're wondering how
can a government impose a ban
on something that hasn't been
made possible yet by technology,
then you'll probably be glad to
know that what the ban targets
at is not the technology itself, but
its depiction in TV shows and
movies. The reason? Well, movies
based on time travel seldom stay
true to history, and according to
the Chinese government, this
manipulation of the flow of
events is "disrespectful to
history."
10.Fortified Foods
Where: Denmark
Not just creative baby names,
Denmark has also banned all
kinds of fortified foods, and this
includes yeast-based spreads,
such as Ovaltine and Marmite,
along with fortified breakfast
cereals and milk fortified with
vitamin D. The strict food safety
laws in the country are
responsible for the ban.
You see that the world is a
strange place indeed, with
strange things happening all
around us. So, which of these
bans do you think to be the most
absurd of all? Do let us know.

Yungwizzzy: really funny bans time for naija too ban so many lame trends

and nairaland shld also ban FTC crew, end time tins, and also ban banning rights from mods!!

u deh track me. Na deh always be first to comment 4 ma post. Lol

Hian!! Even chewing gum??

.

I was going to ask for Nigeria to be included in the list for attempting to ban generators. It's weird if you ask me, but, thank God the ban was ineffective.

berem: I was going to ask for Nigeria to be included in the list for attempting to ban generators. It's weird if you ask me, but, thank God the ban was ineffective.

lol

Thanks for the enlightenment. I am grateful. I hope am permitted to copy it and use it to educate others?

mrakin: Thanks for the enlightenment. I am grateful. I hope am permitted to copy it and use it to educate others?

sure

educative