I have found the error causing everyone which does not have US English as selected language have in entering dates.
The date options in the localization setting cannot have a translation since it seem to be used by the date parser (which includes some <span statements as well)
http://www.geni.com/account_settings/localization
If you have a translation on any of these keys they have to be deleted:
http://www.geni.com/tr8n/phrases/view?translation_key_id=229987
http://www.geni.com/tr8n/phrases/view?translation_key_id=229986
http://www.geni.com/tr8n/phrases/view?translation_key_id=229996
Even "translating" to original text makes the date parser to fail.
Private User and Private User
These "<span statements" will appear on some places only if:
A) Inline translation is enabled and
B) these translated phrases are not locked.
Have you tested both?
P.S. The Date Format Localization seems not working at all Today.
I already Yesterday changed my default input format to DD MM YYYY but when I tried to input new date to some profile (textual view - Basics tab) then 18 03 2011 gave "Invalid Date" message - I was able to input only
03 18 2011 as in US (MM DD YYYY) format.
Again: deleting the tree keys seem to at least activate the date parser until Geni comes with a fix of you are not using US English
When you have entered a date hit return, tab or click outside the field to activate the parser. A gray text to the left of "❌ Ca". gives you feedback if the parsed date or an error message.
If you don't get something try to delete those tree keys.