A meal shared across languages can begin with passing what someone is reaching for.

Understanding does not always wait for language. Noticing that a hand has moved towards the salt and passing it is a complete exchange, and it says something plain about attention that no vocabulary is needed for. Meals work well across languages because so much of what happens at a table is physical and shared. You can be considerate long before you can be fluent.

If you eat with someone you cannot fully talk to, put the effort into watching rather than into finding phrases. Pass things, offer things, leave room. Learn two words for next time, then keep watching.