New York Dumb Laws

No Flirting in Public

In New York City, a law still on the books bans men from turning around on the street and looking at women “in that way.” If a police officer witnesses it and deems the glance suggestive or flirtatious, you could technically be fined. While this law is likely not enforced today, it reflects a time when public morality laws were taken very seriously—and facial expressions could get you in trouble. Keep your winks in check. Source

Slippers Are a No-Go After 10 PM

It’s illegal to wear slippers in public places after 10:00 p.m. in New York State. The rationale? Reportedly, lawmakers feared that wearing slippers late at night might be unsafe in case of emergencies like fires. Whether this concern about house shoes was ever warranted is unclear, but the law remains one of the odder bits of the state’s legal history. Source

No Jumping From Buildings

In New York State, it is technically a misdemeanor to jump off a building. But here’s the kicker: the law reportedly states that if you do so and survive, the punishment could be death. This is one of those laws that feels like it belongs in a dark comedy—and the logic doesn’t hold up under much scrutiny. Still, it’s often cited among the state’s most bizarre legal remnants. Source

Pocketed Ice Cream

You may have heard this one before: in New York, carrying an ice cream cone in your pocket on a Sunday is prohibited. This law shows up on a lot of weird law lists, and while we couldn’t locate a reputable primary source in the state’s code, it may have roots in laws intended to prevent horse theft (yes, really—horses would reportedly follow you if they smelled the sweet treat). Still, no definitive citation.

Donkeys in Bathtubs

The claim that it’s illegal to let a donkey sleep in a bathtub appears frequently in “dumb law” roundups—but for New York, there’s no actual state or municipal code confirming it. It may be a confused retelling of an actual Arizona law. As entertaining as it is, we were unable to find a reputable source to back it up in New York’s legal codes.