Following Thanksgiving, let’s all take a moment to be thankful we don’t live in America on the day of pandemonium that is Black Friday.

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving (which always falls on the fourth Friday in November) and traditionally marks the start of the Christmas season for the average American.

Although, this year’s Black Friday may not be as black as people might have originally thought. Seeing as how the U.S. economy is floundering to say the least, recent reports show that people are planning on being more careful with their dollars than retailers anticipated.

American Stores say that following September and October’s sales figures they’ve realised they’re facing a bit of a grey Black Friday.

What with the sky-high gas (that’s petrol to us) prices, the country’s miserable (to be nice about it) stock market and the housing crisis it’s no wonder people are tightening their purse strings this Christmas.

So that’s two reasons to be happy you’re not living in the states. No sketchy economy and no Black Friday. Although, Ireland does experience “Bogger Shopping Day” on the 8th of December when all the country folk head to the capital to do their Christmas shopping. . .Well can’t have it all.