Explores the problems and pitfalls encountered by French clinical psychoanalysts in trying to communicate with immigrant Maghrebi clients. Misunderstandings arise from clashing cultural premises. Analyst and analysand do not have the same expectations from their dialog. All that most clients want is a certificate of psychological disability entitling them to a government pension; they are not interested in being analyzed. The therapist is frustratingly confined to devising approaches and solutions that do not conflict with the client's traditions