The Sunday Times spoke to 10 dating agencies about the qualities that men and women look for in their other halves and, boy, Singaporeans sure are fussy.
AGE
HE: Men want women aged between 25 and 32.
Reason? Most are concerned about having children.
SHE: Women prefer older males. Some do not mind dating those who are two to three years younger.
LOOKS
HE: Men go for those who are slim and have big eyes, long hair, long legs and big breasts - but who are not bimbos. Celebrities like Jolin Tsai, Felicia Chin and Fiona Xie are benchmarks.
SHE: Women prefer men who are taller than them, are not balding, dress well and have pleasant faces.
CHARACTER
HE: She should be gentle, demure and sometimes submissive. She should also be "well-behaved". Smoking and tattoos are taboo.
SHE: He must be confident, humorous, family-oriented and able to look after a family. He must also be easy to talk to.
CAREER/FINANCES
HE: She can be successful but not more so than him. For example, she must not have a higher degree or salary. Some want women with careers linked to good looks, like air stewardesses.
SHE: He must have a stable job and earn at least $50,000 a year. Some want men with glamour jobs like pilots.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on Aug 24, 2008.
