When you can't think of a word, just say, "I can't think of the word in English." That way people will think you are bilingual, and not an idiot.
Here's some advice for joggers, to avoid embarrasing situations. If you're out on a run and are feeling a bit tired you start to slow down and passers by notice. Stop, turn and shield your eyes looking into the far distance behind you, as if you are the leading runner of a large group and you are waiting for them to catch up.
I live in the US but I’m Australian. So I already do that… “Sorry, can’t think of the word in American”.
Oh Jane, mais oui, I very much am. I did not really anyone to get the Poirot reference, but here you are. You are such an aware person.
Nobody thinks I'm an idiot when I can't find the word in English. We Norwegians have to have some perks. Come to think of it nobody thinks I'm an idiot if I can't come up with the word in Norwegian either, as long as I know it in Klingon. (I never do, I just pretend.)
Reminds me. When I was still at school, I had a saturday job in a grocery shop. Back-slang was often used by the male members of staff when talking to each other. I'll give you an example that I can remember. Cigam eniragram, pronounced, "See jaminie ragram" was Magic Margarine. I think it's long gone out of production.
I can? I didn't know that and now I wish I didn't know that. *puts thinking cap on to find another excuse*