It depends where you are, I guess. What you say is perhaps more true in the Netherlands, my experience in Belgium (particularly Flanders, where I live) has been different. People seem to appreciate my efforts and forgive my mistakes. Granted, this is only possible after you've gained a certain competency level where you don't make your interlocutor impatient, or they notice you making too much effort. And you only have three seconds to make that first impression. ;-)

I've taken two years of night classes, and gained a so-called 'C1' competency[1], but in practice I'm a moderate 'B2'. I strongly recommend taking long-term formal classes; makes life so much more pleasant. FWIW, I try to keep my Dutch relatively sharp by listening to the radio, reading the local newspaper, and importantly talking only in Dutch with some of my local friends, and in everyday interactions with the society.

An interesting (but more effortful) method to improve Dutch is: if you've read and enjoyed a book in English, read its equivalent Dutch translation, while having the English copy nearby.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_European_Framework_of_R...