To be surprised at this?

[TinaTeaspoons]

I work at a place where we provide functions for young families and provide snacks etc. Today we had kids in of 3 and 4 years old. Asked the lady at work (around my age, so late thirties) to cut up some cucumber, cherry tomatoes and carrot and put them into a bowl.
She chopped the carrots up into too thick pieces, same with the cucumber and she was slicing the mini cherry tomatoes down the middle and was getting sprayed.
It looked a complete mess and because she had done it all so thick cut, there wasn't enough to go around.
I don't like to judge but shouldn't cutting up fruit and vegetables be a simple task for an adult ?

How on earth do you cut a tomato if not down the middle then?

I've never needed to. I can't eat them.

My children have never had them.

I don't know how else to cut a cherry tomato either - how do you cut them so no liquid comes out? I also don't know why it all needed doing again - why didn't you just ask her to cut the cucumber and carrot sticks in half again to make them smaller?

First world problems...my tomatoes are cut too large. The drama!

Well what is her job? Does she usually cater for young children?

your OP doesn't really make sense

also people have different ways of cutting veggies and salad. The way my mum would do it is different from what I would do but it sounds like your way has to be right.

How else do you cut tomatoes if not down the middle? 🤔

This is the way to cut tomatoes (first method shown)

https://youtube.com/shorts/kyYCH0RuJuI?feature=share

She was cutting down the middle and all the liquid was seeping out.
I don't understand how else she was supposed to cut them.

Sounds like wasn’t cutting them from top to bottom, which means less seepage.

I mean, of all the things to get worked up about, this wouldn't be one of them for me 😄

Give clearer instructions?

She didn't cut them into batons or strips. Just big and chunky slices.
As I said, it was a sharp knife and she's far from stupid so was just surprised that she made such a mess of it.

I love that this is the kind of thing that upsets you, OP, I wish this was my greatest worry. 😂

But yes, YABU and weirdly judgmental.

YABU it's salad for kids not Michelin star cuisine, I doubt the kids would even care never mind notice the state of the presentation.

As for the woman, has she been asked to do this before? Does she usually do the job? Does she know your standard presentation/standard portion sizes? Did anyone show her how they expected it to be done?

Going on about "she should have known better" just makes you come across as a judgemental arse, OP

I'm 44 and my thinking would be "chunkier pieces makes them easier to hold for chomping on". Never realised that was such an moronic way of thinking.

Can someone explain the tomato thing please?

Imagine the stalk is the north pole. If you cut the tomato round the equator all the juice comes out. If you cut it pole to pole less juice comes out. I think. That's what I'm imagining.

I've never bothered to care enough, if I'm halfing cherry tomatoes they get cut off centre, tilted axis, whichever way the tomato lands on my chopping board.

Ahh thank you, adds cherry tomatoes to Tesco list to test this.

I HATE it when people criticise how others do something and say they ‘don’t know how’ simply because they do it differently. Your way isn’t the only way, you know? Your idea of a ‘complete mess’ is subjective! Don’t be so judgey!

Did the 3-4 year olds complain about the presentation?

I mean it’s been awhile since I’ve spent time with that age group, but aren’t they still being reminded not to pick their nose or lick the table?

Could you call the police non-emergency number and report her for crimes against cucumbers?

Also I have never cut a cherry tomato in any way that doesn’t result in juice squirting out. I cut and eat them almost daily. Does this mean I ‘don’t know’ how to cut them either? Perhaps you could prepare a manual with instructions so we can learn how to cut to your standard 😂

Ha I’m with you op, this would annoy me too and I would judge the person. Obviously carrot and cucumber for kids should be in thin shortish batons, and if you’re going to cut cherry tomatoes, do it neatly. I think it’s a bit weird for a parent to not know this.

I have cherry tomatoes…. I could cut some for science

At this time of night?! You sicko.

At this time of night?! You sicko.