Just don't let go of a BS1363 lead; they hurt.
Treading on the upturned plug also isn't the nicest
It's pretty much impossible for a US plug to lie with the prongs facing upwards because there's no flat back
"Treading on the upturned plug also isn't the nicest"
No Brit ever used your turn of phrase or trod on an upturned plug. I've managed 54 years without doing it.
US plugs have a habit of working loose ...
Well I'm British and I've stood on one at least twice in my life.
Funny you think no Brit has ever stood on one when I've heard it joked about a bunch during my 40 odd years.
Its a meme and not "truth". "Everyone" knows that our plugs have three large prongs and if you step on one then it will hurt. However, incidents of actual treading are very rare.
Our plugs do have a shape that means they can lie with prongs up due to the flat shape of the plug. Other plugs tend to be cylindrical and hence will always lie horizontally out of habit.
However, look at the size of the things! A US (for example) plug has two thin prongs. A UK plug has three thick prongs with one (earth) longer than the other two. If you actually leave one lying on the floor and it happens to be facing upwards and you step on it then what happens.
Our feet are phenomenally sensitive. We are easily capable of stepping on something nasty and detecting it and reacting by lifting up before any damage is done. That assumes normal walking and not say jumping onto an upturned plug, or being pissed or whatever might impair your senses.
Funny you should use an idiom like "a bunch" and describe yourself as a 40 years old Brit and have a new account. Your accent implies Casterbridge.
We have slim plugs here in the US that fit nicely when you have furniture up right against the wall but still need to reach the plug. They have a flat back that definitely allows you to step on it.