The Ideal Woman (from the Singaporean male perspective)

I had the misfortune of coming down with a very bad cold, which started in chilly Shanghai, and led me to the doctor's office on Thursday when I was too sick to go into the office. While waiting for my consultation, I chanced upon an article inside Urban entitled "Their Ideal Woman".

What qualities does the Singapore male rank high on his dating list?

Ah. This particular subject has been a topic of hot debate among my friends so - high fever or no - I read on with relish. The result of an informal polling of 85 single men, aged between 16 - 38 years presented this list in no particular order:

• offers to pay her share on dates
• pays for her own shopping
• takes care of her appearance and dresses well
• able and willing to cook for her partner
  
• enjoys hanging out with her partner's male buddies
• does not become possessive/jealous when her partner hangs out with his female buddies
• enjoys watching soccer or sports with her partner
• gets the stamp of approval by friends & family

And here's the kicker ladies: over 3/4s of the respondents rated good grooming and appearance as the Numero Uno Factor for date-ability. Wow. I think most Singaporean women are already really well-groomed - even if they are not stylish, they are at least neatly dressed. So what exactly are we talking about when we say "good grooming"? Like the eye brows can't be too shaggy or something??

I am not sure what other Singaporean women look for in a partner, but I do know that if I had to list 8 qualities to look for in a date - the list would look somewhat different.

My ideal man...

• isn't uptight about money and who pays because I'm worth it
  
• doesn't nag me about shopping because I am paying for it
  
• likes me for my sparkling personality and therefore the way I look
  
• hires a maid if he wants someone "willing and able" to cook at his pleasure
  
• enjoys hanging out with my male and female buddies
• maintains close ties with his own circle of friends while we are together
  
• enjoys the fact that we share common interests but as different individuals, we give each other space to pursue individual interests with each other's support
  
• gets the stamp of approval from my friends & family

As for appearances, a lot can be said for chemistry, great personality, wit and intellect. So I get weak-knee'd over a sharp mind. What can I say? I'm just superficial like that ;)