I always do the two basic songs- Silent Jealousy and X. It's not hard for me at all. I'm like "What do you like?" most people say "I like everything" and I'm like "HURRRR, sure, listen to this", and I put on some Silent Jealousy. Most people instantly react to the drums and the guitars when it hits. After the guitar solo, I'm like "Alright, now wrap your face around this" and give them some X.
If they make it that far, which is often but sometimes it's a matter of time and if we're getting a good drink going, I hand them over some ballady stuff. I converted one friend through I.V. which was kinda unique, I didn't see that coming, but seeing as how I like I.V. and find it to be a good song, I had no qualms with it.
But yeah... Turning people to X-Japan isn't hard in my eyes. It's not a matter of language barrier, but just wiggle that toe in the front door of their musical tastes...
Like, example, I have a coworker, who I asked what he listened to, he was like "I listened to mostly punk rock but now I've really gotten into piano music", and I just handed over my headphones and was like "Listen to this," gave him some Silent Jealousy. He was nodding in approval to the piano intro, and then the BAM of drums and guitars, the crazy drum fills that lead to an 80's tempo, near-punk pseudo-thrash drum along with muted guitar strumming and strong clean vocals... If not for his sentimental attachment to his favorite bands, he said this would be his favorite band.
got another friend of mine through his emotional strife. He felt lost and was in a big slump in his life, and I was like "Bro, listen to this" and sat him down and we watched Art of Life from start to finish. At first he didn't get the piano interlude, but now he feels it. He liked them then. Then he came with me to the Yoshiki Foundation event in July.. Born to be Free was fun, catchy, and a helluva good jam. It was then he was immersed. He saw them at the Wiltern with me last Saturday... And now holds his arms in the X with pride.
Music and emotions know no bounds, and I love how X-Japan is proving that in strides.