Top 18+ Things You Can Do by Law but Probably Shouldn’t

Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s a great idea. Some choices are technically allowed but still questionable at best, uncomfortable at worst, and downright selfish at their core. Laws tend to set the floor, not the ceiling, for decent behavior. So if you’re wondering what falls into that awkward gap between legal and ethical, read on.

Make Your Kids Child Actors

Sure, it’s legal to sign your child up for acting gigs and start cashing in on their cute face. But the entertainment industry is brutal, even for adults. Many child stars have later spoken out about the toll it took on them, and we’ve seen so many have their lives almost completely ruined by early stardom. Fame might sound fun, but the long-term impact is rarely worth the short-term glow.

Park in Front of Someone Else’s House

Technically, you can park on any public street if you follow local laws. It may be legal, but hogging the space in front of someone’s home every day is just inconsiderate. Residents often rely on that space, especially in neighborhoods with limited parking, and you never know if you’re taking the space of someone who may have mobility problems.

On top of that, constantly blocking their view or access can spark tension that’s totally avoidable. Once a dispute in a neighborhood begins, it can make the whole experience of living there uncomfortable. Be a little mindful, and everyone wins.

Fly a Drone Over Your Neighbor’s Yard

This one’s totally legal in many places as long as you stay under the FAA’s radar, but let’s be real, nobody wants to feel watched. Hovering a drone over someone’s backyard isn’t just creepy, it’s invasive. Even if you’re not recording, the buzzing sound and the looming presence make people uncomfortable.

Leave Negative Reviews to Blackmail Small Businesses

Of course, you’re allowed to leave a bad review, and your opinion is protected speech. What happens sometimes, however, is people threatening to post a scathing comment unless they get a refund or a freebie. Online reviews are the lifeblood of small businesses and that kind of behavior can destroy their reputation unfairly.

Keep Found Cash Without Reporting It

Finding money on the street feels like winning the lottery, and the law doesn’t always require you to turn it in, depending on the amount. Try putting yourself in the shoes of the person who lost it, though. What if it was your rent money someone else picked up? Keeping cash that clearly isn’t yours might be legal, but it reveals more about your ethics than your luck.

Smoke Around Kids

Unfortunately, it’s still legal in many places to smoke in your own home or car, even if children are around. It should come as no surprise that secondhand smoke is incredibly harmful, especially to young lungs. Kids have no control over the environment adults put them in, being more or less entirely dependent on carers in their lives to make responsible choices.

When considering these issues, bear in mind that just because no law stops you doesn’t mean it’s not doing damage. In this case, open the windows or better yet, step outside.

Blare Music Late at Night

There’s often a cutoff time for noise complaints, but if you’re cranking your speakers at 9:55 p.m. and waking up half the street, you’re still being a nuisance. It’s not illegal until the clock strikes a certain hour, yet there’s also no reason to be inconsiderate towards your neighbors.

Film People in Public Without Consent

Yes, public spaces mean fewer privacy protections, and you’re allowed to film in most of them. The fact is pointing a camera at strangers without context is invasive, especially if they’re in distress or minding their business. Social media has turned people into unwitting content. Just because you can film doesn’t mean you should.

Keep Pets in Small Apartments Without Adequate Exercise

There’s no law against having a high-energy dog in a tiny studio apartment, and many people are choosing pets over kids these days. It’s important to remember that just because something is normalized that doesn’t make it right. Dogs need room to move, stimulation, and outdoor time. Leaving them cramped and bored while you work ten hours a day is technically legal, but also deeply unfair and potentially damaging for their health.

Use a Handicap Parking Permit That Isn’t Yours

Borrowing a relative’s disabled placard might get you a prime parking spot, and yes, it’s hard to enforce. However, this behavior is selfish. Those permits exist to make life a little easier for people who truly need accommodations. Misusing one means someone who needs that space might be left circling the lot.

Walk Your Dog Without a Leash in Off-Limit Areas

Some cities have leash laws that are rarely enforced, and in quieter parks, you might get away with letting your dog roam free. Still, other people and pets may not feel safe around unleashed animals. It only takes one unpredictable moment for something to go wrong.

Skip Tipping at Restaurants

In many countries, tipping is optional. In the US, it’s still legal not to tip, but it’s part of how servers make a living. Skipping the tip in a culture where wages rely on it just shifts the burden to someone who’s already underpaid. If you’re eating out, factor the tip into the cost.

Blast Your Horn in Traffic for No Reason

You won’t get fined for leaning on your horn in most places, even if it’s just out of frustration. Honking aggressively isn’t just annoying. It stresses everyone out and sometimes even escalates road rage, as well as disrupting the surrounding area. Save the horn for when it’s needed, not as a substitute for shouting into the void.

Call the Police Over Minor Disputes

It’s your right to call the police, but not everything needs law enforcement. A loud party or a neighbor’s fence issue doesn’t require badges and sirens, and particularly not if you haven’t tried calming discussing the issue first. Escalating minor disputes can end badly, contributing to over-policing and taking resources away from more urgent cases.

Let Your Kids Watch Disturbing Content

Anyone who’s a parent knows that kids absorb more than we realize. Constant exposure to mature content can affect how they view the world, relationships, and even themselves. Just because the remote’s in your hand doesn’t mean you should skip the filter.

Take Photos at Funerals

It’s often considered deeply inappropriate in most cultures to snap a photo at a funeral, even if it might not be banned. These are sacred, emotional spaces meant for grief, not Instagram. Taking selfies or wide shots of mourners turns something private into a spectacle, and is largely socially unacceptable.

Use Legal Loopholes to Avoid Taxes

This one is something that’s under increasing scrutiny these days. When billionaires pay less tax than their assistants, the system starts to crack. A society only functions if those involved agree to contribute, rather than looking for a way to game the rules, and public services don’t fund themselves. Paying your share helps keep things running for everyone.

Talk Loudly on Speakerphone in Public

No law prevents you from broadcasting your entire conversation to a crowded café, but come on. People don’t want to hear your latest work drama or personal gossip while they sip their coffee. Whether your friend’s or your client’s, privacy still matters, even if you’re not the one being exposed.

Parts of this article were generated using AI.