Tom Cross

Writer and content strategist.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

Let’s all look out for Matt while he’s here in London. I’ve already suggested he stay in Leicester Square, eat at Angus Steakhouse, and try not to be converted to Islam (a daily annoyance).

If you spot him on the tube, encourage him to make small talk there whenever possible.

[Matt Van Swol @mattvanswol]

@TheCriticalDri2 I have decided to come to London next week to see it for myself.

I've heard things are bad, but I want to understand how bad it's gotten.

The UK is the canary in the coal mine for the United States...

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@mattvanswol @TheCriticalDri2 Wonderful. Please just stay in and around Leicester Square. There’s a delightful restaurant in that area called Angus Steakhouse. Only go there; there’s nowhere else that I’d recommend. And careful you don’t get converted to Islam - it’s happened to me twice this week.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@Malachians Very odd how the prices are rarely mentioned by Fabrizio and others when it’s a City signing, too.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@northumbriana @mattwridley As a Mancunian who moved to Hexham aged 10, I’ve always been curious about where the strong anti-Manchester feeling in the region comes from. Surely it must have existed before the 95-96 football season? Any thoughts from a historical perspective, @northumbriana?

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@Hayles_101 I was born in Manchester and moved to Northumberland aged 10 (roughly around the time Newcastle enjoyed their peak years under Keegan). I also knew from the off that this guy was never moving to United.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@AlbaCuler @sidlowe The song is incredibly self deprecating, and very few England fans at the beginning of a tournament think we will win it. It’s more that we just about allow ourselves to dream by the QF/SF and then see it all collapse again in eerily familiar fashion (the theme of the song 😉)

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@verobrunati Antes del partido contra Inglaterra, miembros del gobierno argentino llamaron a los ingleses “piratas” entre otras cosas. Me cuesta un poco entender cómo los argentinos son tan sensibles ahora cuando reciben críticas y no darlas.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@GuillemBalague Si se siente más profundo en el mundo anglosajón, es porque el concepto de “fair play” es fundamental de esa cultura. La cultura de Argentina es - sobre todo - una mezcla de la cultura española y italiana, donde es más razonable ganar como sea.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@tancredipalmeri If I were Italian I’d probably not speak too much about aggressive and intimidating atmospheres created by fans.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@SeanDOlfc How did that striker get on?

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@atalaveraEcon Totally agree. I lived in Barcelona for three years and London’s parks were probably what I missed the most. Barcelona has the sea, but honestly the parks there are dusty and pretty ugly.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@aporia9n Deary me. Yes, the only thing “keeping London alive” is the lack of credible alternatives in the region. 🤦‍♂️ Not its incredible culture, architecture, history, entertainment, etc. So many chips on shoulders about London on this app.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@DanFriedman81 You’re right - when I’m out eating in London I often wish I could eat at Taco Bell or a Waffle House. But I guess I’ll just have to make do. Similarly when I’m buying Cheddar or Stilton, I often wish cheese here was in a tasteless liquid form as it is in the US. It’s a real shame

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@ediz1975 Happens so often in London. Even the cyclists who do stop tend to glare at you as if you’re really inconveniencing them and they’ve done you a massive favour by stopping.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@sidlowe @sonjanik13 This annoyed me so much during the three years I lived in Barcelona. I found one cafe in Sarria where you could get a decent croissant - otherwise they were all those sticky, tasteless ones.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@KaiserLoengramm I admit our cuisine isn’t at the top table of global cuisine, but some people talk about it as if it’s inedible. I think a lot of it is just a way to banter English people. Personally I’d rank it in the top 10, but obviously somewhere from 8-10. Some incredible dishes.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@goonielor En Inglaterra hay un sentimiento que los seguidores del Arsenal - especialmente online pero algunos cara a cara también - son intolerables. Creo que una gran parte es debido a los “fan channels” como Arsenal Fan TV. Da la sensación que no hay ningún humildad y eso importa aquí.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@charles_watts In all likelihood Arsenal will win the league and could even win the Champions League . But there’s a reason none of their players are favourites to win individual honours. It’s been an attritional slog with almost no standout performances.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@bunburyoudoujp Over-politeness to the point of almost being a disability balanced by sometimes drinking too much beer and becoming a bit silly.

[Tom Cross @tomcroxx]

@BallouxFrancois It’s such an odd agenda, isn’t it? One thing is the weird American MAGA guys claiming you’ll get stabbed (or forcibly converted to Islam) the second you walk outside here. Another is people from other regions of the UK who are perpetuating the myth.