If you don't put the word "some" before a noun referring to people, does that imply you mean "every single one" of those people?

No.

Generalizations can be restricted or unrestricted. The words “all” or “some” can be used to make it explicit which type of generalization you are making, but a reasonable person uses context and the principle of charity to determine which sort of generalization is intended when neither word is present.

@SavoirFaire Thanks. Principle of charity is something I hadn’t considered. There does need to be come critical thinking employed in the absence of words like “some” or “all”.

No. If I mean “all people” I’ll say “all people.” Just “people” is a general term.

The absent “some” is what leads to misunderstanding.

A salesman tells a man “moms love SUVs” and buys an Escalade for his wife to haul the kids around, when what she really wants is a Miata so she can leave the kids home with dad.

On Fluther it does.

TOTALLY AGREE WITH @Dutchess_III !!!!^^^^^^

Usually, in the context of fluther, just the use of the designator, without “some” precedes a rant. “Why do men do (something rude)?” or “Why do women do (something stupid or silly)” or “Why do smokers do (something nasty and unacceptable)?”
In that case, the OP tends to be referring to the vast vast majority of same.

Not Necessarily @canidmajor ,but I do get your point.
It is easier to understand and not get offended outright if the person adds “most” or “some”.
Then we figure they can’t possibly be talking about or referring to “me”.

It does or does not mean “all”. It is an open ended statement. So, to avoid the confusion and as a preemptive measure, try to use “some” or “most” to convey your message with more clarity. Otherwise, there will be a backlash from (some) grammar nazis.

I love that answer^^^^^^.

It’s not a question of grammar but of meaning. “Some” means some: “people” is a generalization implying all.

I’m with some penguin.

I also think that leaving out “some” or “all” in some instances (see what I did there?) is done purposely, for example on Youtube, to get clickbait titles (”Teenagers Have Sex At Twelve Years Old”.)

I should have clarified that, to me, “people” means people in general.

“Dogs have four legs” is true even though some dogs have lost a leg.

“Textbooks are expensive” is true even though some textbooks are dirt cheap.

“Cats make Jessica Alba sneeze” is true even though some cats are hypoallergenic.

“Americans eat a lot of cheese” is true even though some Americans are vegan (or lactose intolerant).

It is worth noting that the difference between restricted and unrestricted generalizations plays a fundamental role in language learning, meaning that everyone here intuitively understood the difference by age three even if they are professing to have trouble with it now.

Yep. Don’t generalize like that.

Great question.

You can add the word some to your question and there will still be some who think you mean everybody. You can’t win here.

You really can’t. Especially when you have members who exist solely to pick apart people’s comments and insult them.