SINGAPORE: A man's thrilling return to social media turned into an unexpectedly disappointing experience as he found that long-lost acquaintances were not reaching out to reconnect but instead seeking financial help.

The story gained traction on Reddit’s r/askSingapore, where he candidly shared his frustrations.

Upon resuming his social media activity after a break, which was intended for personal updates—like coming back from a sabbatical and launching a new startup—he quickly recognised that his posts attracted the attention of individuals he had not heard from in years.

What began as casual hellos quickly morphed into requests for money, with friends asking for amounts ranging from S$50 to an astonishing S$300.

Initially, the man was caught off guard. He facilitated a few small loans, believing they would be a one-time favor.

However, things spiraled out of control as requests kept pouring in. Alarmingly, many of those reaching out would either disappear once it came time to repay or provide flimsy excuses for their inability to do so.

"It’s only S$xxx, why would I run away from you?" was a common refrain.

Each day he received familiar, casual greetings that soon escalated into further pleas for financial assistance.

He shared his struggle with this vicious cycle, stating, "I always try to give them the benefit of the doubt and help, but it has become relentless.”

In an attempt to encourage self-sufficiency, the entrepreneur suggested they do small, paid tasks related to his startup.

Unfortunately, the responses were far from encouraging; acquaintances continued to decline, often citing personal issues and busyness, further driving home the notion that their intentions weren't grounded in needing genuine support but rather in wanting to exploit his goodwill.

Feeling pressure, he reached out to the Reddit community for advice on how to navigate this perplexing situation without feeling guilty.

He wondered: "Is it wrong to block people who merely see me as a source of cash?"

Responses poured in, with many urging him to distance himself from these so-called friends.

One commenter articulated, "They just see you as an ATM. True friends wouldn’t treat you this way."

Another cleverly suggested, "Why not turn the tables and start sharing your imaginary financial struggles with them?"

In a time where personal relationships can bear the strain of financial turmoil, this story resonates with many contemplating the thin line between lending a helping hand and fostering dependency.

As he weighs his options, the community rallied together, emphasizing that true friends should contribute to your life—not just take from it.

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