A small phrase learned sincerely can make an unfamiliar place feel less distant.

A few words spoken badly but sincerely carry a message underneath the words themselves. They say you have come as a guest rather than as an audience, and that the effort of meeting is not only theirs to make. People forgive the pronunciation almost instantly. What they notice is that you tried at all.

Learn three phrases before you next go somewhere unfamiliar, including thank you and a way to apologize for your own limits. Use them early, when nothing depends on them. Let the wobble be visible rather than waiting until you sound good.