In Japan, mispronouncing a word gets you a quiet, polite correction.
In Boston, I tried to order the New England clam chowder.
My English failed. I ordered a calm chowder.
The waitress did not blink. She yelled to the kitchen: ONE CALM CHOWDER! KEEP IT PEACEFUL!
The cook yelled back: NO WAVES ON THIS ONE! SMOOTH AS GLASS!
The bowl arrived with two oyster crackers floating side by side, completely undisturbed.
I have eaten there sixteen times since. It is on the specials board now: Calm Chowder, fifty cents extra for zero turbulence.