Response to ‘Give You 10 Years’ Comment
A Singaporean TikToker living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, has sparked widespread discussion after responding to comments suggesting that returning to Singapore after living overseas is “shameful” or pointless.
In a TikTok video posted by @fu.wari, she replied to a comment that read, “Give you 10 years,” alongside another that said, “Just experience few years (less than 10yrs) than shameful return back country. What’s the point of staying oversea for?? Spending all your retirement ages funds? Most Singaporean doing nothing trying to find own space but still won’t root on foreigner country ever. All is wasting of times and years been playing around.”
Her caption made her stance clear: “dont have to give me 10 years i’ll be back in Singapore much sooner than that 🤣🤣🤣🤣 for those of you who dont know me – I’m a singaporean living in Chiang Mai, Thailand and these comments really amuse me sometimes 😆”
“I am a Singaporean leh”
In the video, she questioned why some Singaporeans are fixated on the idea that leaving — and eventually returning — is something to be embarrassed about.
“You give me 10 years and then what? I give you 10 years and you’ll still be on TikTok doomscrolling and commenting stupid s*** like this?” she said.
She added, “I don’t know what is the obsession right with once you leave Singapore, you are shameful for coming back home… I am a Singaporean leh. Why I cannot come back home?”
She stressed that living overseas does not erase one’s identity or right to return, calling out the attitude as unnecessary and judgmental.
A Workplace ‘Red Flag’ That Never Made Sense
Drawing from her own working experience, she shared an incident from her time in HR — a role she said she was not even meant to be doing.
“I was a designer. That is Singapore for you, working two to three roles in one company,” she said.
She recalled how a job applicant who had studied in Australia was viewed suspiciously simply for returning to Singapore. “And then my boss was like, huh? This girl red flag leh. Why she never continue working in Australia?”
She questioned that logic. “Like, I don’t know what’s so red flag about that. So what? Like, she want to come back Singapore. Maybe she likes Singapore better.”
Life Abroad is Temporary — and That’s Okay
The TikToker was also candid about her own situation, saying she is fully aware that her time in Thailand is not permanent.
“I know that my life here in Thailand is temporary. I hope that I can do this for as long as I can,” she said, before adding that she expects to eventually return to Singapore and work a typical nine-to-five job.
She cited the rise of AI and the limits of freelancing as practical reasons, but rejected the idea that returning home equals failure. “But I have never once thought that I’m a failure. I have to go back to Singapore.”
Instead, she said the shame others project onto her “says more about you than me lah.”
Netizens Rally Behind Her
The comments section quickly filled with support, with many sharing similar experiences and frustrations.
WHY DO I NEED A REASON TO COME BACK HOME (yes exactly, coming from someone who came home after 10years overseas hahaha)
Another said,
“You do you girl! I admire your bravery to experience life outside of SG & no matter where you at, I wish u all the best!”
to which @fu.wari replied,
“Thank you 😊 honestly i am just figuring life out like everyone else!!”
Others pointed out the double standards Singaporeans face.
one comment read:
“if don’t come back people say you ungrateful or can’t survive in sg, if come back, people say you can’t make it elsewhere. CAN’T PLEASE EVERYONE SIS,”
Her response was simple:
“ya lor always got something to say one 😊”
Several commenters also shared how returning Singaporeans are often questioned or disadvantaged in job interviews for lacking “local experience,” despite having worked overseas for years.
All in all, they expressed support for Fuwari.
A Second Video on Rest, Failure, and Pressure
In another video, @fu.wari addressed a comment that criticised her for wanting a more relaxed lifestyle while young.
“And a Singaporeans’ biggest fear is failure,” she said, adding that many people grow up following a rigid life script —
“Get a degree, work a 9-5, get married, BTO.”
She questioned why rest is seen as weakness.
“What is wrong with wanting to rest? If being successful means I cannot rest, right? Then just call me a loser lah, okay? Like, I will take that title.”
She also pointed out how uncertain life is. Acknowledging her privilege, she said,
“I literally have the chance now to work remotely. So why wouldn’t I take that chance to try leaving Singapore and try something new?”
Choosing Home is Not Failure
Across both videos, her message remained consistent: overseas stints should not define success or worth.
As many netizens echoed, going abroad to experience life, and coming back, can make Singapore better, not worse.
For @fu.wari, choosing when and where to live is about preference, opportunity, and timing: not shame.
Watch the videos here:
@fu.wari dont have to give me 10 years i’ll be back in Singapore much sooner than that 🤣🤣🤣🤣 for those of you who dont know me – I’m a singaporean living in Chiang Mai, Thailand and these comments really amuse me sometimes 😆 #livinginthailand #tiktoksg #fyp #singaporean #movingabroad
@fu.wari if being successful means I cannot relax, then i dont want to be successful #tiktoksg #fyp #livinginthailand #singaporean #singapore
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