In Palestine, Jesus' birthplace, it is known as "Sad Friday." In the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria (and Eastern Orthodox Church in general) the day is called Great Friday.
In Portugal the day is called the "Holy Friday" and in Denmark,Norway,Sweden,Finland and Iceland the day is called "The Long Friday".
In many English speaking countries, most shops are closed for the day and advertising from television and radio is withdrawn to some degree.
In Canada banks and government offices (at all levels) and public sector businesses are closed, along with most private sector businesses (except in Quebec).
In the United States, Good Friday is not a federal holiday, although it is a state holiday in some locations. U.S. governments are also constitutionally prevented from forcing most private businesses to open or close on any particular day, so the stock markets are usually closed on Good Friday along with many other businesses (especially in rural areas) - but the majority of businesses are open on Good Friday. Some public schools close on Good Friday because so many children's families observe the holiday. The postal service operates, and banks regulated by the federal government are not allowed to close. State and local offices are closed in areas where it is a state holiday.
The Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country, prohibits all alcohol from being sold on Good Friday. Almost all pubs and many restaurants in Ireland close for the duration of the day. It is similar to Christmas Day in this regard. This tradition has come under criticism of late, with secular businesses claiming a loss in earnings by way of a religious festival. Many people cross the border to Northern Ireland to shop or visit pubs or restaurants.
In South Africa, the government regulates the opening of businesses and entertainment outlets on this day (as with Christmas Day). All government offices, schools and certain businesses are closed on Good Friday by law. The buying and selling of alcohol is prohibited.
Eastern Orthodox Christians eat as little as possible on this day while the Roman Catholic Church observes fasting and abstinence for this day as well as Ash Wednesday.
In many English speaking countries, Hot cross buns are eaten.
Traditionally, Catholics are to abstain from eating meat every Friday of the year as penance. Nowadays, this is only a requirement during Fridays of Lent; during Fridays of the rest of the year, other methods of penance may be followed, for example, an extra prayer. As a modern tradition, many Catholics will eat fish on Good Friday.