Reminds me of a certain deployed airfield in the Balkans where ATC was Italian. We took off in the small hours, field ops before ATC had crewed in. Shallow fog up to about 30' then ginners all the way up.
I recovered for refuel at about 8am for refuel. ATC crewed in as I was refuelling.
I Called for a VFR departure to the East.
Got "negative sir, the airfield eees a IFR"
Replied: "I've been airborne all morning, and I'd to go VFR"
Got: negateeeve, airafeeld isa IFR.
Replied: Ok, I'd like IFR departure, 50' direct to the East.
I heard the microphone drop and then get picked back up...
Got: owakay, youa goa VFR...