system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
eli5 - how come EU countries have plug sockets and light switches in bathrooms?

I'm from the UK, and in a UK bathroom you can only fit a socket for an electric shaver, and a light switch from a pull cord.

When traveling I always wonder why it's ok to fit an EU style plug socket cms away from a sink in a bathroom, or have a standard wall mounted light switch in the room? 

Is this a case of tighter safety standards in the UK? (I find it especially confusing as all UK sockets have an earth and sometimes EU sockets don't.)
Or is this just more legacy bullshit we have to put up with.
gpt
The reality is that UK kinda has some unnecessary protective safety standards for plugs. As long as you use a RFI (also know as GFCI) outlet anywhere near running water, then the chance of shock is very low.