I don`t need to read the OP to know what this thread is all about. Yes, manual > auto.

Only for RPG's

Ya I usually flip throguht he manual.

B) I sometimes read the manual though usually only when I can't start playing immediately.

Neither.
I only look at them for the pretty art.

B). Usually when someone else is driving me home from the game store.

E) I usually read the instructions, but before playing the game I might only look at a bit (like control mapping). The rest I will read out of interest maybe as a little bedtime reading

When i was a kid i used to go with A.

But back then instruction manuals actually had stuff you wanted to read about.

Now... only if the control mapping is done poorly.

E. Manual?

I guess im around C)-ish.