Can't Buy Me Love

I’m not a Beatles fan although I do have a few of their songs on my iPod. One of them is “Can’t Buy Me Love”. This song popped into my head several weeks ago when I was in China on a business trip. Why? I ran into a couple who stayed on the same floor level a few times during my first week there. Was there anything special about them? Not really, other than that he was possibly in his (very) late 40’s, judging by the lines on his face. She was not much more than 20 – 22, 24 at the most, quite pretty in her own right. 

Let’s call him “John”, and her - “Jane”. John is of slight built, with a small, pudgy mid section. His appearance actually reminded me of the mascot from San Diego’s baseball team - the Padres. John sported a pair of black, wide-framed glasses, he looked “seasoned”, if you will. Jane on the other hand, got this “fresh out of college” look, long straight hair, wore little makeup, not exactly tall and quite slender. With a pair of low pumps, Jane stood a tad taller than John.

So, why did they catch my attention? They could be a father-daughter pair just happened to stay at the same hotel. Sure, that might be true. But what dad would place his arm around his daughter’s waistline so tightly as if he were clinging on to her? One morning, while taking the elevator down to the restaurant for breakfast, I ran into the duo. I gave them both a smile and said good morning. They said good morning to me back. We lined up and stood patiently for the elevator.

I’m not sure if men have intuitions like women, but the impressions which I received from them were very different. I could be way off base on this, I felt as if John was showcasing Jane. “Hey man, look at the hottie I’m with!” He pulled Jane closed to him as elevator light slowly made its way up. Jane nodded at me but sort of had this "hollow" expression, kind of like she didn’t want to be there. She looked down at the floor most of the time. Spring autumn romance is possible but I failed to see it in the couple next to me.

The elevator came up and we all entered. It was then I “heard” the song by the Beatles.

Can't buy me love, love
Can't buy me love

I'll buy you a diamond ring my friend if it makes you feel alright
I'll get you anything my friend if it makes you feel alright
'Cause I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you love me too
I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love

Can't buy me love, everybody tells me so
Can't buy me love, no no no, no

Say you don't need no diamond ring and I'll be satisfied
Tell me that you want the kind of thing that money just can't buy
I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love