Have you ever caught yourself looking over your shoulder, heart racing, convinced you’re breaking the law—only to discover you’re in the clear? Our beliefs and surroundings often trick us into feeling like outlaws when we’re law-abiding. Let’s learn some 15 things that seem (but are surprisingly not) illegal in the United States.
Window-shopping
We’ve all been at a point where we awkwardly walked out of the store empty-handed, feeling like a fraud. However, window shopping is legal and expected! Stores expect and welcome browsers. Next time you stroll those aisles, do it confidently! It’s legal!
Open Wage Discussion
Discussing wages with colleagues is legal. Your boss can’t stop you from comparing paychecks—that would be illegal! Certain laws safeguard this right because open discussions about pay promote fairer workplace practices.
Refusing Service
As a business owner, you can refuse service to anyone if it’s not unfair or discriminatory. If someone enters without intending to transact, you can politely ask them to leave. You may report them for trespassing and show them the door if they refuse.
Personal Movie Refreshment
Bringing your snacks to the movies isn’t illegal. It might feel criminal, but you won’t land in jail! However, due to theaters’ policies against outside food, you might be asked to leave if caught.
Passing a Police Car in Traffic
Do you find yourself tensing up when you spot a police car on the road and instinctively slow down? Relax. As long as you are within the regulated speed limit and following traffic rules while overtaking a police vehicle, it is allowed.
Bringing Your Food to Restaurants
Carrying your meal into a restaurant isn’t illegal. It’s often against establishment policies, though. Restaurants can ask you to leave if you bring outside food. However, they might be more accommodating if you use other services like booking a table or ordering drinks.
Filming People in Public
Capturing videos or photos of individuals in public spaces is generally legal. That is to say, you won’t be jailed if you are respectful and aware of privacy concerns when filming others. Consent is necessary if you plan on using these recordings for commercial purposes.
Giving Cops the Finger
Expressing displeasure towards police officers with hand gestures is protected under free speech laws. You won’t get arrested for giving cops the finger, but remember that legal doesn’t mean smart before you get rebellious. Cops might find other ways to punish you. So why not save that finger exercise for your morning stretches instead?
Cops Lying to Get Facts
In the United States, law enforcement officers can use deception to get facts during interrogations. They don’t have to admit they’re officers or stick to the truth when gathering information. Cops can lie to you without breaking the law.
Counting Cards
Counting cards isn’t illegal for those with intellectual capacity in the United States. There’s no need to fear serving time or paying fines because casinos can’t have you arrested for counting cards. They, however, reserve the right to ask you to leave their premises if they suspect you’re doing so.
Avoiding Tax
Tax avoidance is the legal way to pay less tax by using deductions, credits, and other allowed tax breaks. It’s essential to keep accurate records and file taxes honestly to comply with tax regulations while maximizing savings. Please do not confuse it with tax evasion, though! The latter is entirely illegal.
Owning Exotic Animals
Possessing unusual or exotic pets isn’t universally illegal, but it’s heavily regulated. Laws vary by state and even city. For instance, owning a tiger is strictly prohibited in California. So, if you want to bring home some exotic pets, you need to check your local laws.
Marrying a Step-Sibling
While it might raise eyebrows, marrying your step-sibling is legal in most states. As there’s no biological relation, it doesn’t fall under incest laws. However, societal norms and family dynamics can make such unions awkward. It goes to show that legality and social acceptance don’t always align.
Driving Barefoot
You might have heard that driving barefoot is illegal. Well, that’s not true! There’s no law saying you can’t drive without shoes on. So, while the cops won’t pull you over just for being barefoot if you’re driving crazy, they can give you a ticket for reckless driving. It’s all about driving safely, whether wearing shoes or not!
Selling Unclaimed Luggage
Have you ever wondered what happens to those lost bags at the airport? Well, there’s actually a whole business built around them! Companies buy up these unclaimed suitcases in big batches after confirming their lack of owners’ information. The next time you’re shopping for a bargain, you might get your hands on someone else’s lost treasure!
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