I lived in El Paso, Texas for many years while my Dad was stationed at Ft. Bliss. As a white woman, I was a minority. I never had any problems. And when my neighbor brought over homemade enchiladas? I took the dish and said mucho gracias! Or tamales at Christmas. Never turned those down.
I was at my local farm market and buying a cantaloupe. A Spanish worker saw me and selected a cantaloupe for me. She said in a heavy accent, good one. I smiled and said gracias. It was the sweetest and most delicious cantaloupe I have eaten. But it was her help and smile that made it taste good.