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Tue, 17 Apr 2012
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Degree-holder, 22, happy to be hawker's wife
by Benita Aw Yong

While her peers are starting their careers in air-conditioned offices, 22-year-old Eliza Lee is mincing garlic and taking orders.

For the past two years, she has been helping out at a food court stall that sells a quintessentially Singaporean dish - chicken rice.

But Miss Lee is not doing it for the extra cash. The younger daughter of parents who own a bag-manufacturing business does not need it.

They have another daughter, 25, who runs a food business.

Instead, the "L" word is why Miss Lee is on her feet for 10 to 15 hours every day, seven days a week.

Her 32-year-old fiance, Mr Michael Poh, owns the stall.

She is so determined to share her man's burden at work that she deferred the final leg of her university course to help out at his stall.

Miss Lee, who studied at a top secondary school and a polytechnic and has a bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism from the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), has to study for about six more months before honours can be credited to her degree.

The prospect of being a hawker's wife has never bothered her, she says.

"In fact, our 10-year age gap was more of a concern," she says with a laugh.

That mindset is rare among women her age.

A wedge between blue-collar workers and office executives still exists. When it comes to picking life partners, most university graduates would not consider blue-collar other halves.

Mr Poh declines to reveal exactly how much he earns each month, but it is enough to maintain a comfortable lifestyle for his parents and fiancee.

 

 

Read the full story here.

 

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The "L" word is why Miss Eliza Lee, 22, is on her feet for 10 to 15 hours every day, seven days a week. (Photo: TNP)
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readers' comments
this is fate and destiny, beauty and the beast. bless them!!!
Posted by BenHur007 on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 at 20:34 PM


that is why, it is not a good idea to marry off after just a few months of dating... it takes years to accomodate each others' differences... when we are married. It is no longer about me me me... but rather, it's about us us us.
Posted by DimpleGuy on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 at 11:18 AM
A lot of young women are very idealistic about love.

But after a few years of marriage, they find that their husband not helping in housework, hang out with buddies often, drink beer like it is FOC, smokes, only look for her when in need etc etc.

Real life not like TV serial.

I am not referring to this couple specifically. Just speaking generally.
Posted by popiahskin on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 at 11:02 AM
A degree is just merely a recognition of one's ability of understanding in the areas of study he or she sought and pursued. It does not guarantee a lifetime employment or happiness in anyway. It is more a door opener for young people who have no proven track records of their working abilities. Just a piece of people. A lot has to do with constant improvements and reviewing of one's life objective. Hopefully, maturity creeps in along the way. I wish this young lady all the best!
Posted by juliannatan on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 at 10:39 AM

i know some cases where local hawkers "married" foreigner-wives from neighbouring countries to "enlist" their help in running their hawker stalls only to find that they eventually abandoned them (the husbands) & the stalls for their home countries!

a very lucrative business always, (hygiene are usually compromised) since everyone has to eat, it's best that hawker aspirants be he or she know what to expect to save one from many a tear!

ha..ha!
Posted by middleman on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 at 01:36 AM

no, not really!

maybe should listen to yours

and so are all the sg graduate gals!

ha..ha!
Posted by middleman on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 at 00:58 AM


Title very misleding.
Hawker's wife....meaning one work for someone.
Shouldnt the title change?

Degree holder, 22, happy to be owner's hubby chicken stall.
Posted by hfourhappy on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 at 13:01 PM



So you think she should listen to both your advices instead ?
Posted by Pinetrees on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 at 12:58 PM
wow..happy forever
Posted by brainlessC on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 at 12:47 PM
To say that the chick is not bad looking must be the understatement of the year, I would say she's smashing and should draw patrons to her stall even if her wares don't make the grade.
Posted by sure_win on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 at 00:41 AM

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