no battery

Since when does one need to switch on a charger?

There are many countries where you have to switch on the plug point on the switch board where you plug in your charger or sometimes switch on the extension cord. I have done all of the above. :)

Oh wow, as an American this seems very strange to me.

It was a cultural shock for me to see no switches for the plug points when I first traveled to Europe. My first thought was, what if a child puts his finger into the plug. :P

Good point, that actually happened to my little brother a few years back, but he turned out fine