The US also has insane stuff, yes. Romex stapled to studs, impossible to change, fix or renovate without tearing up the walls.

Balloon framing itself isn't crazy though: look at Scandinavia (maybe excluding Norway since their electrical system is a bit... special) for the same type of home construction (Western Framing Construction or whatever it's called), but with in-wall conduit and star system like in continental Europe.