My mother, a secretary, married my father when he was a technician in a chemical plant.

Me? I'm not so sure I would do the same. I'm a graduate in my early 20s who shares the concerns reflected by the 50 young women we polled.

What will my friends think? Will we be able to click? Will he be able to provide for me, should I choose to stay home and take care of the kids one day? These are not flippant gripes.

Research in evolutionary psychology has shown that women look for men with good financial prospects, a high social status, ambition and industriousness.

So I know I am not alone in my demands for a mate.

For Miss Eliza Lee, the answer to those questions is a firm yes. I respect her for making that choice.

Would you, if you are a young graduate woman, date and marry a blue-collar worker?

The issue was raised last Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Manpower Tharman Shanmugaratnam at a ministerial forum.

He called for a society where a mother would be quite happy when the daughter says she's going out with a waiter, and which regards the blue-collar worker as core to the workforce.

Meeting Mr Right outside of the office is hard enough. I'm busy trying to carve a new career.

Statistically, career women are more likely to date colleagues if they are not already in a relationship.

I really don't think I have an extensive list of must-haves in a life partner. But I struggle to imagine that a waiter, electrician, security guard or plumber will fit the mould.

At the risk of sounding snobbish, I have yet to meet a blue-collar worker with whom there has been significant chemistry.

I cannot shake off the need to be secure about our financial future together.

Granted, blue-collar workers can earn more than me. I have no doubts that some hawkers can seal a secure future for their families, frills and all.

But I grew up conditioned to believe that the path to success and financial security follows years of slogging in school followed by a degree and a good job in a posh office.

Not sweating it out with my spouse in a hawker centre.

I'm not looking for a trophy boyfriend or husband, but introducing a blue-collar boyfriend to friends and family is a worrying prospect.

My pick has to be someone who speaks grammatically-correct English (mine isn't perfect, but I expect a certain level), enjoys reading, makes me laugh and who earns about the same amount, if not more, than I do.

Mr Michael Poh and his fiance, who run a chicken rice stall, are likely to have a higher take-home pay than I do as a young journalist.

When I spoke to the lovebirds, it was clear they are inseparable.

I have a lot of respect for blue-collar workers and the jobs they hold. But when I choose a mate, I also have to factor in the common space that we share.

Miss Lee and Mr Poh clicked from the first meeting. Who knows?

Maybe my love story will have a similar beginning.

This article was first published in The New Paper.