Starting conversations in Spanish?
One of my problems is that I am reluctant to start speaking in Spanish with someone whom I presume to be a Spanish speaker based on their looks, or accent (I'm not great at placing accents). I'm afraid that if I start speaking in Spanish I could be insulting someone by insinuating that they aren't speaking English well. I know I could explain that I'm learning Spanish and ask if it's ok to speak with them in Spanish, but that's too much for my shyness level. I'm also afraid of making an incorrect assumption and the person could get insulted - "you think I speak Spanish because of how I appear to you?"
Come to think of it, this is the second time I'm talking about my introversion getting in the way of my practicing the language. I should work on that somehow.
7 Answers
The problem I have is not so much a confidence thing, but I just can't think quickly enough when I try to speak Spanish. I feel that I now have a lots and lots of Spanish inside my brain, but its not joined together lol. Reading and writing I'm ok with because I have the time to think things through and find the words from my head (or dictionary) but when it comes to speaking, my head is just blank!
I'm probably not explaining myself very well, but its a bit like..........I don't have a house, I have a pile of bricks, lots of pieces of wood, cement, screws, nails etc littered all around - but I don't have any drawings of the house so cant build it.
Have I lost you? I'm not surprised lol, I'm even confusing myself 
Elaine and Sonrisa:
That can be be surpassed by asking in English, "by any chance, do you speak Spanish?"
As to explain that you are learning Spanish, it is a matter of saying it after receiving an answer to your question, which might vary from:
Why?, Do I look like someone that speaks Spanish?, Yes, No etc.
Now Billygoat and you two:
It helps to read whole paragraph in Spanish out loud while recording yourself, and then checking for your fluidity. 
If you truly want to become proficient in a language, you almost have to put yourself in some awkward situations and step outside of your comfort zone. There are a lot of students in my classes and at my work who have taken years and years of Spanish, but are completely uncomfortable speaking it. You could study all the grammar in the world and listen to programs/music in Spanish, but conversation is mandatory. Nothing but speaking can help you develop spontaneous reaction time. Are you going to offend people from time time? Yes! People are people and it doesn't matter what language they speak. Some people may think you are patronizing them, some people may feel inferior because you are trying to speak another language and they aren't, some people may just not like the fact that you are learning "their" language. These are just the harsh realities you deal with when you learn another language. That being said, I would say that the majority of Spanish speakers are very friendly and love it when you speak/try to speak with them. You have to decide if you want to break out of your shell and push these boundaries. I can tell you that the feeling you will have from being able to speak another language with no fear is unbelievable and well worth the effort.
Hola, Elaine!
You know, my brother has pretty much the same problem. He's a much more advanced speaker than me. He volunteers at a nearby hospital and occasionally someone comes in who, as you said, has an accent or looks like they may be Hispanic. When he first started volunteering, he would start speaking to them in Spanish. He did say that seemed insulted and would respond with something along the lines of, "I know English." Awkward! Jeje.
He's changed his ways since then and only speaks to them in Spanish if they ask, "¿Hablas español?" or anything else in Spanish.
It's a tough situation, it really is. You don't want to make assumptions about people, yet at the same time, you want to practice Spanish.
So, maybe you could do what my brother does and only speak in Spanish if they initiate it?
I'm sorry. As I read back over this, I realize I just added to the confusion 
. This probably wasn't much help, but I felt like you should you are not the only person who finds his or herself in that predicament.
Really, you should only speak Spanish with someone if you have first confirmed that they don't speak English or maybe that they don't want to speak English.
Confirm first. I would say something like,
"¿Señor/a, habla inglés? Si no habla inglés, hablo español .... "
Being polite first makes a good impression instead of just imposing yourself on someone so that you can practice a certain language. I hate it when people do that to me with English.
Thank you everyone. I'm seeing that my concerns are not totally unfounded and I will take each situation into consideration. For instance, now I'm glad I didn't start talking in Spanish to our waitress this morning. I could have started a conversation by telling her that I'm learning Spanish, and ask if she speaks it, and if I could practice with her. But as I said, that's a more gregarious person, not me. Perhaps I could develop those skills.
However, when in the city I do go to stores where the people are speaking Spanish to each other. I think in those cases I could be a bit braver.
This thread should have been posted here
Do you feel down? Not learning enough? Come to Encouragment Island/Isla de Apoyo!
If you continue there, I'm sure you'll get even more helpful feedback.
