It’s also a consequence of really poor American outlet design.
It’s not uncommon in other countries for the plug to be designed in such a way that by the time conductive surfaces are exposed, then the plug is far enough out that it’s no longer live. There are a few ways to accomplish this, either from recessed plugs to requiring that the exposed conductors be half coated in an insulator so that the first part exposed as the plug is removed is non-conductive.
It’s not uncommon in other countries for the plug to be designed in such a way that by the time conductive surfaces are exposed, then the plug is far enough out that it’s no longer live. There are a few ways to accomplish this, either from recessed plugs to requiring that the exposed conductors be half coated in an insulator so that the first part exposed as the plug is removed is non-conductive.