do not connect the hot to one hand, and the neutral or ground to the
other hand, to electrocute your heart muscle. all beginner
electricians keep one hand in their pocket at all times.
instead of living with a shock hazard,
1. go to walmart electrical department and buy 2 portable GFI's. around
$10 each. plug one into an outlet and it will trip before allowing you
to get killed.
2. use one to test all your appliances and outlets for a shock hazard.
handle your questionable lamps to test them this way in both on and off
modes.
3. the landlord won't be too excited if an electrician replaced your
troublesome outlets at your expense.
4, the lamp shock hazard is reduced by the manufacturer when the hot
appears at the center socket terminal to the lightbulb. this is
accomplished when using a polarized plug in a properly wired outlet. a
digital multimeter will allow you to identify the plug's short hot
prong versus the neutral taller prong and correct any miswired lamps.