But on Fridays at noon everything shut down for the day, and the residents took siestas behind closed shutters.

NEWYORKER: Waiting

The statement said state schools would also be closed on Fridays, but were free to open on Saturdays to compensate for the lost day.

BBC: Yahya Jammeh gives Gambians an extra day off

They point out that the private sector would still work on Fridays, but would not be able to do any business with the government on that day.

BBC: Yahya Jammeh gives Gambians an extra day off

The municipal offices closed early on Fridays, but Benny Avni made a point of staying late at the end of the week, personally responding to every letter.

NEWYORKER: Waiting

But her note on pedicures and Fridays brings up a good point: Dress codes in a corporate environment is usually clear for Monday through Thursday, but what about Casual Fridays?

FORBES

Venerable watering holes such as MarvinGardens, Dutch Goose, Beefy's Cabin and the Orchid Room pull decent crowds not just on Fridays, but weekdays and Sundays as well, in and around wealthy enclaves such as Palo Alto and Menlo Park (for more details, see the slide show, compiled with help from tips by locals, and a former bartender turned media type).

FORBES: Where Techies' Real Social Networks Start

The broadcaster is dropping his Monday to Thursday lunchtime shows but will still be on air on Fridays.

BBC: Ed Doolan cuts back weekday shows for new Sunday slot

But today, Muslim visitors come in their thousands, especially on Fridays, the beginning of the Syrian weekend.

FORBES: A Victim Of Troubled Syria: Ancient Monastery That Welcomed All Comers

Fridays were always busy, but this one promised madness, given the rough weather on the way.

CNN: Excerpt: The calm before Katrina