Justice is served
Imagine being penalised for slurping soup. Surely, you say, that's not possible. Well, just such a piece of legislation can be found in the archives of the US state of New Jersey. However, this is relatively tame in comparison with some others we have uncovered. Take a look into the archives of table etiquette and you'll find quite a selection of do's and don'ts. Delve a little deeper, however, and you'll find some surprising old laws from around the world.
All the following laws are genuine and, although some of the more obviously obscure ones have long since bitten the dust, others still stand firm - although, we hope, are not so strictly applied. Consider some of these…
In Malaysia, it was felt necessary to introduce a law banning restaurateurs from substituting toilet paper for paper napkins.
Closer to home, in Denmark, it's illegal for restaurants to charge for water unless it is accompanied by another item, such as ice or a slice of lemon. And in Sweden, any bar serving alcohol to paying guests must, to obtain a licence, be able to serve food - and that doesn't mean using a microwave, but having a fully equipped kitchen.
It may come as little surprise to find that some of the wackiest laws can be found in the USA. Take, for example, Connecticut, where, in days gone by, dining out became a far more pleasant affair once legislation had been passed to ensure restaurateurs provided separate nose-blowing and non-nose-blowing sections.
And if any restaurant, café or pub in the state of New Hampshire has music gently playing in the background, be warned. You would be breaking a law should you be tempted in any way to keep time with the music, from tapping your feet to nodding your head.
Some restaurateurs will do anything to save money but should you own an establishment in Birmingham, Alabama, the law requires you to pay someone else to sweep the floor.
In Memphis, Tennessee, forget about the doggie bag. Taking even an unfinished slice of pie home from a diner is banned. And in Kansas, if you decide to order a portion of cherry pie for dessert, don't waste time asking for it to be served with a scoop of ice-cream - for some reason, that, too, is illegal.
It seems that each locale in the USA has a law even weirder than the last, and none more so than one in the township of Wakefield, Rhode Island, where anyone who is dining out and orders onions must - by law - eat them alone and not share them with anyone.
But if you think that's weird, there is a law in Bourbon, Mississippi, whereby restaurants are requested to serve one small onion with each glass of water.
However, if you ever have the opportunity to visit New York, brush up on your table manners because it's illegal to eat soup with a fork, or to suck up strands of spaghetti individually.
And finally, when it comes to deciding who should pay the bill, you'd better make up your mind beforehand, especially if you are dining out in Richmond, Virginia, where flipping a coin is deemed to be gambling and is therefore strictly prohibited in restaurants.
Food for thought!
