If you live in the US, this day is known as Black Friday. It is the busiest shopping day of the year. Stores typically open early and offer special deals to early morning customers. Though I have never personally seen a fatality or injury, I'm sure from the aggressive mentality that some shoppers display that many stores are one inch away from an all out stampede. If I'm in the States, I tend to spend Black Friday at home, barricaded in the basement with enough food and water to ride out the day.

But shopping elsewhere is another story. There are plenty of spots the world over that would put the local department stores Black Friday door-buster sales to shame. If you are thinking of becoming a refugee, escaping from the wild holiday retail scene, check out these:

Chatuchak Weekend Market in bangkok thailand has well over ten-thousand stall offering everything from live pets to replicas of ancient statues. The highlight for most tourists is the handcrafted goods.

Dubai is the shopping capital of the Persian Gulf. There is a modern mall with walking distance of virtually everywhere. Traditional souks offer a more authentic shopping experience, but not a break from Dubai's prices. For some more traditional souks, try the oft overlooked country of Tunisia (More about Tunisia coming this weekend).

Though Paris rules France in most tourists' minds, it is Marseilles that offer France's best deals and most colorful markets.

Best of luck surviving Black Friday. Hope I inspired you to become a retail refugee next year.