On the electrical outlet and how Juliana will never hear the end of it

Remember this?

Electrical outlet in the Cooperative University

Some info about Ukrainian electricity:

1. The plugs are European (not including the UK), meaning that everything is round and has some different features from outlets/plugs in the US.

2. The voltage is 220 (as opposed to the American 110) and therefore emits a stronger current.

3. Electricity in Ukraine is very unstable. Anyone remember this?

4. Sticking fingers into any electrical outlet is a) what?! Did you read that right?? (yes, in fact, you did) and b) cause for a lifetime of ribbing.

Having said that, here goes the tale:

Once upon a time, there was a girl named...let me see...let's call her Luliana (you know, to protect the guilty). She was a spunky one with long golden hair and a penchant for exploring things that are best left unexplored. Whilst traveling abroad with a group of similarly-aged friends and teaching her third English class of the day, Lulu (as she will henceforth be called) became inquisitive about matters related to foreign affairs, namely electricity in Ukraine. She had never before seen such things as rounded electrical outlets and decided it would be best to lean in for a closer examination.

In the course of her examinations, she discovered a few differences in the outlets she had always known and the new outlets in Ukraine. Besides the obvious difference in shape, these new outlets also had metal protrusions that intrigued her. What could the metal possibly be used for? Why would there ever need to be metal attached to an electrical socket-ours do not include metal...? And, most importantly, if I stick my finger in and push on it, will it retract into the socket?

Meanwhile, the rest of Lulu's team were preparing for the lesson- unpacking supplies, discussing the layout of the room, and deciding how best to divide the students. Little did they know of the internal struggle happening just inches from their elbows (yes, inches. Those classrooms are small, dear readers). That is, until Erin saw Lulu jump halfway out of her skin.

"Lulu, are you ok??" she asked in concern.

"That outlet shocked me," Lulu replied, looking stunned and shaky.

"Oh my goodness...how did that happen? How close were you standing to it?" Erin had great concern over this development, thinking that Lulu had been shocked by sparks jumping out of the outlet, which would, incidentally, be a major fire hazard and reason to run away.

"I stuck my finger in there."

Erin stared in stunned silence. She also asked "why?" over and over. The answer? Lulu just wanted to see if the metal protrusions would retract or move.

Really??

Yep. That was the entire motivation behind STICKING HER FINGER INTO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET!

The best part?

She. Did. It. Again. Later that night, in order to test whether or not all outlets in Ukraine would shock her the same way, she stuck her finger another one.

This is a true story.