Let's be precise. By breaker we don't mean a regular circuit breaker, but instead a GFCI circuit breaker. Given that clarification MarkC's reasons are the same as mine. The WHOLE circuit is ground-faulted, not just the outlet.

But I'm not a bonded electrician, not even an electrician. Why does your friend call them a pain? Is it that they are a pain to install or that they are unreliable? If it's the former, well that's too darn bad--I've installed them myself and they usually take up 2 slots for one GFCI breaker, instead of one. If it's that latter, I'd like to hear about the problems.

But he/she is your friend. You have to choose who's advice you take, and why.