Given that you are encountering them while they are in your country you should realize that they do not expect you to speak perfect English. As someone who has traveled to non-English speaking countries, I can tell you that whatever help and information that you can provide to them will be greatly appreciated. Also realize that they are probably just as nervous as you are! As others have suggested, the more that you go out of your comfort level and/or put yourself in that situation where you need to speak English, the less self-conscious and better off you will be whenever those situations do arise. Perhaps, rather than waiting to be asked, why don’t you volunteer your help to those who seem to be lost or who look like they need assistance. That way, you’d be proactive and taking charge of the conversation, knowing what you are getting into instead of being asked out of the blue and being, in a manner of speaking, at the mercy of others. If nothing else, you’ll practice and improve your English at the same time! As for anyone who would make fun of your English ability (which is the basis of your nervousness…), you should just realize that they have their own issues (a lack of maturity, intelligence, empathy, etc.), so you should not allow yourself to feel bad, in any degree or in any form, over their opinion of you. Anyway, that's my advice. Best of luck!

I agree with FTOON, don't worry about being nervous, it is only natural because we don't want to look like we don't know what we are saying. But, imagine how English speakers feel when trying to speak with or to you in your native tongue, they are just as nervous, I know I get to the point of passing out sometimes, but I push on through anyway. I find that people like it when others try to learn their Native language and try to use it, even if you get it wrong, they usually laugh it off inside and try to understand you. Your English is understandable, so yes, use it!! You can do it!!!!!!!

helped ***

yeah, thanks for the saying. I live in Rio de Janeiro, so sometimes I go to places where most tourists go like Copacabana and ipanema. And I keep hoping for a "excuse me, can you give me some info?" from them. I help some foreigners once and felt great afterwards... but at the moment I felt all shaky and nervous, trembling, my heart racing... I wish I had more experiences so I could overcome this fear of speaking.