Even trying to talk to a french person as a foreigner is a pain... Almost as bad as with italians, but in italy you can atleast wave with your hands, the french ignore that too, and doing it over the phone is totally impossible.

(source: live an hour drive from italy, buy cheese and pasta there, and often go to france on business).

I must admit you're right and I feel the pain for you. Sorry.

I got the perfect automatic cancellation: my credit-card expired. Worked a charm.

Pas Le Monde Diplomatique though.

Le monde diplo has no relationship to le monde afaik

Le Monde owns 51% of it [0]

[0]: https://mondediplo.com/about