From Geoff Lewis
Oh dear, oh dear, Gregory Laughlin: you must have caused great consternation among the purveyors of fresh fruit and vegetables. You said that squeezing an object is a handy way to learn about its insides, likening this to testing a melon for ripeness (19 September, p 37).
The right thing to do is to hold this fruit in the palm of one hand and tap lightly with the fingers of the other hand. If it makes a “hollow” sound it is ripe.
Do not squeeze with fingertips: the small pressure points cause bruising – and shouts of rage from the vendor if you are spotted!
London, UK
