Wikipedia:Date_formatting_and_linking_poll/Autoformatting_responses 

Regarding your comments in opposition to date autoformatting, I'd like to point out that discussions on a proposed replacement included specifications for a consistent format for unregistered users, as you mentioned.  There was also talk (and a demo system, although no longer online) about allowing per-page defaults that would override the normal default.  So your concerns are shared by the same people who were working to develop a replacement for the current autoformatting system.