This jubilant assumption of his specular image . . .
                                                                 Jacques Lacan

You’re a man who uses a mirror to see if his tie is straight,
not to look into his own eyes.
                                                                 Robertson Davies

Convinced that he was world famous, [Lacan] wanted to be allowed to make a private visit to the Metropolitan Opera House. "Tell them I'm Lacan," he bade his three bemused companions. Pamela Tytell solved the problem with very "Lacanian" humor: she phoned the director of the Metropolitan and told him Jean-Paul Sartre wanted to visit incognito. The director was flattered and delighted to have such an eminent visitor and agreed at once. As if warning him about one of the great man's eccentricities, Pamela advised him not to address the philosopher by name. Despite her efforts, someone did ask after Simone de Beauvoir, but the deception wasn't discovered. Lacan's English wasn't good enough to see through it, and Pamela, acting as translator, did all she could to keep up the pretense. It was memorable day, and Lacan was delighted with his welcome.