Of course, the most important thing

that I failed to mention below, is not only to pretty much disbelieve most of what you are told, but you must pretend that you do believe it. Don't argue, don't point out that something is absurd, illogical, impossible, or flat out false. Just smile and pretend it is true. Only then will you, like Tom "I'll eat the placenta" Cruise in The Last Samurai, become Japanese. In fact, more Japanese than the Japanese.