Italian men are no longer allowed to scratch their crotches in public. If they do, it can end up costing them a hefty fine, according to a new hands-off ruling by Italy's Court of Appeal.
According to the new ruling, the private parts cannot be scratched or held in public. It is now seen as "an act contrary to decorum and public decency." If they are "private parts" then they are to stay private.
Some superstitious Italian men believe they need to hold or touch their private parts to ward off bad luck when they see a hearse.
A man from Como was fined 200 euros [$303.34] for gross indecency last May. He took it to Italy's Court of Appeal in Rome to appeal the charge.
The man's defence lawyer argues that his client who is a mechanic was just adjusting himself in his overalls.
The judges overturned the appeal and in their ruling said:
"The touching of genitalia in public is a sign of ill manners and must be considered against public decency.
The judges added:
"The rules of social etiquette require all of us to abstain from what might be considered offensive to public decorum."
According to the ruling scratching below the belt could cause
"awkwardness, disgust and disapproval in the average man".
The man not only had to pay the fine of 200 euro but he had to pay 1000 euros [$1516.70] in court costs.
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