1 Soldier: See, if you want to conquer Earth, you first need to understand Earth culture and traditions.
2 Soldier: Take me for example. I'm named after my grandfather; he was named after his grandfather; and so on, every second generation.
3 Soldier: And my grandson will be named after me.
4 Martian 3: So what's your name?
4 Soldier: Call me Ishmael.

Understanding an enemy culture is indeed a good way to succeed in conquering. Alexander the Great knew this, and the Romans knew it. They allowed their conquered subjects to continue with many of their own cultural traditions under their rule, which kept them placated enough that after a while they kind of forgot that they'd been conquered and just got on with life.

On the other hand, if you try to suppress a culture, its people rebel and become implacable foes, constantly fighting to regain what they have lost.

Not that I'm recommending you do either of these things, really.

---

2023-07-22 Rerun commentary: Although if you're in a position to do either of these things, you might want to reconsider your life choices.

I assume with this comic I was intending to imply that this guard is Ishmael's grandfather. Who knows what I was thinking that long ago, honestly?