Hi SWB, and welcome to the forum.

That type of fixture is also quite common in Britain now as well. The connections would typically be made inside the fixture housing using "choc blocks," like these:

[Linked Image from tlc-direct.co.uk]

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I think they should move towards a standard plug-in fitting though!

Well, you can get plug-in connectors for simple pendanta and for fancier hanging fixtures:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASPCR2000.html
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/LDMC11A.html