Help! Kitchen ceiling cracks - normal or big problem?

[WildColonialGirl]

It looks like really crappy work to me. But like others said, probe for softmess or dampness.

[evilcart]

if it is dry it was most likely just sagging joint compound/mud..

So if sound, dry and does not have a hint of damp/musty... it looks like some lazy fool threw on way too much mud , it sagged and the painter ignored the issue...