The socket is recessed into the wall, and only the frontmost part of the plug is conducting. That means that while you are plugging it in, there is never any metal exposed. Contact can only be made when the plug is already quite far in the socket.
The second feature would be to mount the socket upside down, so the center hole (the ground contact) is on the top. Metal objects falling down on the plug are prevented from making contact with the two current-carrying contacts and usually bounce right off the center contact.