McDonald’s Nishi Shinjuku

It was still early in the evening when I ran across this McDonald’s west of Shinjuku Stn. I had just dropped my luggage off at my hotel nearby, and wanted just a little fuel to keep the engine going on the first night of my trip. Seeing a familiar sight in the form of the golden arches, I concocted a great plan to run in for a quick bite before exploring the rest of the area for the remainder of the night. It was almost certainly the self-​satisfied nod I gave to myself that would guarantee my plan would go bust.
Walking up to the counter, I knew I couldn’t depend on my first grade level of Japanese vocabulary (despite taking three quarters of Japanese). Using the bare minimum of vocal communication, I pointed up at the numbered combo menu and nodded at the #5 combo, holding up my right hand and displaying five outstretched fingers. «Number 5, kudasai. Diet Coke, to go.» The man behind the counter gave me a look before asking me for confirmation: «Five?» He seemed a bit unsure, which only added to my confusion about what should have been a simple order. I nodded, but he still didn’t seem to be satisfied with what just happened. I thought that maybe he didn’t get what I meant by «to go» and dismissed it all; I was tired at this point from the long flight. I forked a handful of bills over to him and stood near the counter looking over a map. Pretty soon the man came back and handed me my #5 combo. Five of them to be exact.
Crap.
I looked down at the five sodas and two bags of food with pursed lips. Thinking back a few minutes earlier I remembered I thought the bill was a little expensive, but merely assumed I had the conversion rate in my head wrong. I held back a laugh and smiled while thanking the man before grabbing everything in my arms. Walking over to a booth, I quickly downed one soda so I could carry the remaining four in their tray with one hand.
I never went back to another Micky D’s during this particular month-​long stay, but I learned a valuable lesson: bring someone who speaks the language when you want a chicken sandwich. At least they can help you eat everything when you screw up your own order.
Things worked out though. I had auto-​breakfast for the following three days.