“Upon entering the shop, I noticed there were only four double chocolate donuts left in the case. When it was my turn, I said “please give me all of your double chocolate donuts, to go.” The clerk behind the counter, looking at me with a panicked expression said, “ALL of them?!” I replied, “Well, how about just four of them?” He breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, thanks!” (again, there were only four double chocolate donuts). Another crisis averted.”

— No Pianos, Pets or Foreigners!: My Life in Japan in the 80's. by Joe Palermo”