Ability to edit and knowledge of rules are probably orthogonal. And users have a inmense rule-blindness. They won't want to read pages and pages of rules or tutorials. They just want things done (eg. change a birth date) I think most people act the same way. What was the last time you read the VCR manual?
Yes, I agree with you completely, I don't even remember if I have read a manual for any of my cellphones.
I'm sure not just because you ignore the rules, but because all modern cellphones have intuitive interface. Many users read manuals for their FIRST cellphone.