> If I understand correctly, you're suggesting "Who are you" wasn't directed at me personally, "the person" wasn't referring to the OP but all possible authors, and "the question" wasn't referring to, well, the original SO question at hand, but the class of all possible questions.
yes, exactly ? but maybe it is less common to speak in such a general way in english than in my mother tongue
It is a form in English, example idiom might be, “the man in the street”, which in general relates “anyone in any street” and thereby simply means “ordinary people”.
The potential for confusion arises when we’re already talking about a particular person, and he’s outside on the road.
yes, exactly ? but maybe it is less common to speak in such a general way in english than in my mother tongue