Why do I feel the sudden, oddly panicky urge to rush in and swear up and down that this is not a normal American thing? :)

(We do often heat water in the microwave, though. Not me, because I encountered an electric kettle on a trip to Australia, went "WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE?" and immediately hunted down one for myself, but I think most Americans are not properly aware of their options in the matter, sadly. If they even drink enough tea to make specialized water-heating equipment seem worthwhile at all.)