Some people (especially ladies) are usually fond of saying this a lot, especially when it has to do with dating. A lot of girls do have a mental 'picture' of whom they'd like to date. Which could be due to a lot of reasons. Ranging from age, status, shape, height, skin color, beauty, profession or tribe, and most importantly the size of your pocket. Though there's nothing wrong in this, but the funny part of it, it's the way most girls use it as an excuse (especially girls on campus). Who usually claim not to have interest in campus boys, but later turn around to date them secretly or openly. Probably out of loneliness or just to fill the gap while they wait and hope for a bigger fish. And in the other hand, when you're talking about getting your preferred choice of a partner, you can never get a perfect match...You may be lucky to get someone close to what you desire. But getting a perfect match is usually a difficult task. That's why some always try to shape or turn their partners into the kind of person they desire. By telling him or her how to dress, behave, talk, eat or do some certain things. And doing this is very bad, cos it can also have an adverse effect on the relationship. Any relationship that's like that, don't usually last long. The person being 'pushed' would definitely get tired one day and may decide to walk out of such a relationship. When you find someone you like, you just have to like him or her the way he/she is. Don't try to turn the person into a doll baby. And when you like someone, don't pretend or hide it. Or keep saying he is not your type. Cos most people say this just to cover up!

It is called 'PREFERENCE'

Aside tribe and skin color (to an extent) which of those qualities doesn't change with time and circumstance?

If the person met your specifications and six months into the marriage tragedy struck, a crippling accident that causes loss of job, what happens then to your specification?