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To this day New York remains one of the all time best cities to visit with a seemingly unlimited array of cozy neighborhood hot spots, museums, theater, as well as bars and clubs to entertain you well into the evening hours. Synonymous with art and culture, nightlife and fun, the unknowing tourist may see this as a playground; but there are many oddball laws in NYC. Most of them are no longer enforced, but they exist nonetheless.

Take jaywalking, for example. Jaywalking is legal, you may cross a street while walking outside of a crosswalk, as long as you do not walk diagonally. Walking diagonally across the street is prohibited by law. Getting caught breaking this particular law can be easily avoided, after all, it is New York City, and more often than not there will be a group crossing the street along with you. This will provide you with the proper cover to go ahead and walk in a diagonal fashion should you choose to do so.

New York City is one of the fashion capitals of the world and therefore requires that its' citizens and visitors dress appropriately. When on the street, you are breaking the law if you are a woman wearing "body hugging" clothing. Ladies, if you are one of the unfortunate fashion victims wearing a shirt that is considered too tight then by all means, take it off! Feel free to flaunt your naked torso because that IS legal in New York City, so long as your naked bosom is not being used for business purposes. The best part about this is that you don't even have to worry about that weirdo guy trying to get chatty because there is a $25 fine in New York City just for flirting. Better yet, the creep who persists in giving you that "standard leer" will be forced by law to wear horse blinders while he walks down the street. Should you still feel uncomfortable walking topless on the streets then hop on the subway where both men and women can travel sans a shirt, so long as they are not smoking. Smoking is prohibited on the subway.

There is a lot to do in NYC, but if the mood strikes to put on a public performance of your own then please wait until the afternoon to do so. It is illegal to begin such proceedings before 1:05 pm. While getting your refreshments during intermission, remember that it is against the law to have an ice cream cone in your pocket on Sundays, and as always, a permit is required to transport a carbonated beverage. Should your activities involve a ball then it is wise to note that you will be breaking the law by throwing a ball at someone's head for fun.

NYC landmark buildings are a popular tourist attraction. Just remember while visiting them that by law you are to look at no one during the elevator ride and must face forward with your hands folded. Once at the top it is pertinent to remember that the penalty for jumping off of a building in NYC is death.

Knowing the in's and out's of these oddball laws will ensure that your visit to NYC is as safe as it is fun.

Learn more about this author, Nikki D.
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