Singapore men are like red-blooded guys the world over when it comes to dating: A woman's looks matter the most.

That's according to a poll of 85 men by Urban, in which three-quarters of respondents rated this the No. 1 factor they liked in a girl they want to go out with.

'Call me superficial, but good grooming is a necessity though not the only factor in the date,' said student Ho Yong Min, 24.

'First impressions do count and they help set the course of the date.'

Of the 66 men (78 per cent) who agreed that it's important that a woman takes care of her appearance and dresses well, 34 said it was their top must-have.

The men surveyed last week were aged between 16 and 38, and in a range of occupations including bankers, lawyers, service staff and students. They considered eight traits they expected of a woman and picked their three must-haves.

The results come after a survey last month by the Social Development Service on what women want in a date.

Some women were labelled 'spoilt' in newspaper reports after it was found that most liked a guy to pay for their date and open doors for them - with some even wanting a guy to carry their handbag, never mind he might look a sissy.

On the flip side, the Urban poll results may be scant comfort to those women who think that in these enlightened times, personality should hold as much sway as superficial looks.

But Andrew Chow, 41, manager of the singles networking portal of Romancing Singapore, said the results are not surprising, explaining: 'Men are visual creatures and are interested in a woman based on her appearance first and her inner qualities second.

'Without looks, which is packaging, few men would have the patience to know you or be proud to know you or have you standing with him.'

Benjamin Tay, 20, a multimedia-content producer, agreed. He said: 'It's not that I wouldn't date an ugly girl, but who would want their significant other to look unkempt?'

Chow's advice to women would be to have some basic grooming and 'enhance their features through basic make-up, light foundation and lipstick'.

Before man-hunting girls rush to touch up their make-up, perhaps they shouldn't get too excited, though.

Some poll guys seemed to interpret 'looks' rather loosely.

For example, one 23-year-old said he simply wants to be with a woman who is 'not a slob'.

And 34-year-old Chye Yong Hock said: 'There is no need to look like a superstar. But she must at least look presentable.'

Another finding was that the men seemed to want to have their cake and eat it too, in terms of their social life.

After the most cited criterion of appearance came two unromantic must-haves: a girlfriend must be willing to let her boyfriend hang out with his other female friends; and she must also enjoy hanging out with his guy pals.

Kaveh Namazie, a 23-year-old student who placed both criteria in his top three, explained: 'My friends, both male and female, are part of who I am. A girlfriend who enjoys hanging out with my friends would allow my relationship with her to thrive whilst not abandoning other meaningful people in my life.'

He also hoped he'd enjoy hanging out with her friends, too.

Saiful Djohan, 27, who works at Borders, echoed this, saying: 'I'm my true self with my guy friends, so if she likes hanging out with us, she'll get to know me better, too.'

Others, such as apparent ladies' man Nicholas Doray, 25, a real estate appraiser, had a different reason for wanting a girlfriend who would let him divide his time between her and his other female friends. He said: 'Since 70 per cent of my friends are of the female persuasion, this is a necessity.'

Amid such modern expectations came emphasis on some old-fashioned courtesies: Only 30 men ranked traits like offering to pay her share on dates and paying for her own shopping in their Top Three.

One of those preferring to split the bill is social worker Cai Chengji, 25, who said: 'At least I know that she's not just out to get a free meal.'

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Mar 6, 2008.