- From this comic

I'd take more pride in the fact that Tom reminds a lot of readers of people they've actually known if not for the fact that, holy crap, Tom reminds a lot of readers of people they've actually known. I'd rather be accused of Tom's behavior being based in total fiction than have it be confirmed by so many people.

That said, I feel kind of bad that I had to give him a name. I would like to point out that your average Tom is probably a perfectly okay dude. I'm sincerely on the verge of introducing a second Tom who is the exact opposit of this Tom and regularly saves puppies from danger (I'm not sure why puppies would frequently be in danger, but I assume they're constantly threatened by evil forces).