A common trick to insert a EU-style plug into a UK-style socket is to temporarily insert something in the ground pin socket. An ordinary house key works well, and has the added bonus of shocking bystanders.

Granted, UK-style plugs really are excellent pieces of engineering, best appreciated when upturned and trod upon in the dark.

You overestimate the quality of most of them.

as long as you don't step on one barefoot

Even worse than stepping on a LEGO brick.

Really? Happy to be only threatened by LEGO then. Postive side effect, I'm also driving on the right side of the road! ;-)

EDIT: this has to change now, too, right?

Come on, this is Hacker News - stepping on an upturned PCB in the dark has to be some sort of prerequisite of membership? ;)