So to clarify then (I hope!)

In the US it is common to have sockets in the bathroom wall into which you can plug (for example) a hair drier and sit on the edge of the bath drying your hair. This socket is electrically connected to the mains supply and some protection is offered by the use of a GFI (an RCD in the UK?) hopefully installed and working properly.

Whereas in the UK the only socket you are allowed in the bathroom is for electic shavers and this socket is not electrically connected (by wires) to the mains power supply and is not protected by a GFI (or RCD)