A Singapore resident has turned to social media for advice after claiming that a neighbour repeatedly waits around the time she returns from work to ask for money.
The woman, who posted under the name Hera Ssan, said she had previously lent her neighbour $50 on three separate occasions, bringing the total amount to $150.
According to her account, the neighbour gave similar explanations each time, saying she was waiting for her daughter to provide her with money.
The situation reportedly became more uncomfortable when the neighbour appeared to know approximately when the woman would return from work.
She claimed that the neighbour began waiting near her own unit around that time, apparently in anticipation of seeing her and asking for another loan.
The resident eventually decided that she would no longer lend her neighbour money.
However, instead of continuing to approach her, the neighbour allegedly began closing her door whenever she saw the woman.
The unusual change in behaviour left the resident wondering whether she had been specifically waiting for her because she wanted to borrow money.
Social Media Users Tell Her To Stop Lending
The post prompted a large number of reactions, with many commenters giving the same basic advice: stop lending money and do not allow the situation to affect her daily life.
Some suggested that the resident simply remain polite when encountering the neighbour but avoid further financial arrangements.
One commenter said there was no reason for the resident to feel guilty about refusing future requests, while another described her savings as something that should not automatically become another person’s emergency fund.
Others took a more humorous approach.
One commenter jokingly suggested that the resident should approach the neighbour first and ask, “How much do you need today?” before pretending to increase the loan to $100 and declaring herself the neighbour’s “personal ATM”.
Another joked that the resident should provide the neighbour with her work timetable so she would know exactly when to wait outside.
The humour was accompanied by a more serious message: if someone only appears when they need money and disappears after being refused, it may be a sign that the relationship has become heavily dependent on financial assistance.
Biggest Question Is Whether The $150 Was Repaid
Several commenters focused on another important detail: whether the neighbour had actually returned the $150 already borrowed.
Multiple responses asked the resident directly whether she had received the money back.
Some argued that if the money had not been repaid, the resident should concentrate on recovering the existing debt rather than considering another loan.
Others took a more forgiving view, suggesting that the neighbour could potentially be facing genuine financial difficulties and might need help with basic necessities.
One commenter suggested contacting a Family Service Centre if the neighbour genuinely required financial assistance, rather than continuing an informal cycle of borrowing between neighbours.
The discussion reflects a familiar dilemma in Singapore neighbourhoods, where people may feel pressure to help others in financial difficulty but can also find themselves in uncomfortable situations when informal loans become repetitive.
Commenters Say Saying “No” Is Not Rude
Some commenters argued that the resident should have established a boundary from the beginning.
One said there was no need to feel embarrassed about refusing a loan because the person asking for money was not embarrassed about making the request.
Another suggested keeping the relationship civil by continuing to exchange simple greetings and small talk without discussing money.
Others recommended doing nothing at all now that the neighbour had stopped approaching her.
The general consensus was that the resident does not owe her neighbour an explanation for refusing future loans.
The discussion also highlighted how quickly a one-off act of kindness can become an expectation. While lending $50 may initially seem insignificant, repeated requests can create pressure, particularly when there is uncertainty over when — or whether — the money will be returned.
For the resident, the simplest solution may therefore be to maintain a polite distance, stop providing loans and avoid becoming financially responsible for someone else’s household expenses.
As one commenter put it, the resident’s savings are not an emergency fund for the neighbourhood.
The original social media discussion has since attracted a wide range of reactions, with most commenters agreeing that setting firm financial boundaries is preferable to allowing an uncomfortable borrowing arrangement to continue.