Wal-Mart in the U.S. announced this week that they’re opening their stores at 10pm on Thanksgiving (November 24th), making them the first retailer to offer up “Black Friday” deals.

The closest equivalent we have in this country would be Boxing Day.  Each year it seems like stores here open earlier.  And it must work, or I suppose they wouldn’t do it.  I’m not aware of any retailers that open at midnight Christmas night, but it would seem that would be the next logical progression.  That’s what some chains in the U.S. are doing on their Thanksgiving holiday this year.  Then Wal-Mart took it a step farther.

I guess it’s good for everyone…except retail workers.  I feel for those who would like to enjoy a relaxing holiday with family and friends without the spectre of having to go to work that evening.  And it’s not like they will have a nice quiet shift either.

Since this trend looks like it won’t be changing soon, here’s one request.  If you’re among those who will be in the U.S. for “Black Friday” or will be out early on Boxing Day here, be extra nice to those who are working.  They deserve it.

In a new survey, three-quarters of women say they think about this every minute (more than 900 times a day).  What?

A:  Shopping

According to Cosmo UK, 74% of women surveyed between the ages of 19 and 45 said they think about shopping every minute.  Other women only thought about shopping once a day.