Using definitions that we all agree on makes discussions much, much, easier.
So true, especially when numbers are involved. I recall 2 - 3 years ago one of our senior posters, now aparently departed, took a position regarding withdrawal strategies that was new and controversial at the time. I wasn't aware that his younger, working spouse made a six figure salary, brought home nice benefits and planned to work for several more years. Once that was brought out and I looked at it from his point of view, his position on withdrawal strategies became very understandable....... at least as a viable strategy for him.
We get into this kind of thing when discussing managing retirement portfolios as well. Folks with significant pensions, expected large inheritances, etc., are in a different positon than folks retired on only passive portfolio income with perhaps a smidgen of SS to look forward to. And, of course, there are all of us somewhere in the middle with "small" pensions to look forward to.
In a discussion such as the one in this thread where the discussion topic is subjective and more related to lifestyle decisions than to financial strategies, background/situational disclosure is not so important. Opinions on these matters are more a case of "feelings" and personal choices and are less dependent on specific circumstances.
So, yeah, common definitions of things like "being retired," "retirement income" and the like are handy in understanding where the poster is coming from. I agree with Ha that a senior poster has no obligation to bring newbies up to date on their personal circumstances, although it is nice when a really brief mention is made: "My income is 50% pension/SS and 50% passive portfolio earnings and therefore my choice of AA is.......blaaah, blaaah, blaaah...... Or, "I'm retired at 50 but my spouse is 15 yrs younger and makes $300k/yr so my choice for AA is.......blaaah, blaaah, blaaah...... This as opposed to: "Everyone should have the following AA......."
Our decisions regarding reaching FIRE or living life after FIRE are our own and unique to ourselves. Few investment or lifestyle choices are so generic that they apply to all equally. So, it is helpful to know a few basics about the related personal circumstance leading the poster to his/her opinion and to be able to discuss those things within the framework of some generally understood definitions.