At least I look at them all the time, and I definitely read the story part and character descriptions if there are any.

Manuals used to be so much better though... Remember the DKC manuals where Cranky Kong's comments are on every page, how videogames where so much harder earlier? That were some brilliantly-made manuals.
Most of Nintendo's manuals were made fine earlier though. Nowadays it's not as good anymore, but they are still amongst the best. EA's on the other hand though...

I never read the manual.

Well, maybe a few times with RPGs, manuals sometimes have interesting stuff.

If there isn't too much stuff, then yes. Otherwise I'll just try to see what's important and read it.

Depends on how informative. Manuals don't need to tell you how to play the game, but the most important thing should be explaining how to do basic non-game functions like saving, connecting to the internet and resolving potential bugs. That's what is often hard to 'get' by playing the game alone.

When Im on the train on my way back from buying a game I will usually read the manual, but apart from that I never do.

I make sure that I have manuals ... but I usually only look at them when I have a question. (I am the same way when I buy guides -- books are quicker than looking up FAQs).

That's one change from the classic era. You almost always had to read the directions when games were much more abstract and there was no room for tutorials.

Mike from Morgantown

I used to read the whole thing before I played but over time I just skimmed through it and then eventually just read it during or after I've played awhile. These days I just read it when I don't understand something or to see what the storyline is.

A mostly.

I can usually learn a lot about a game from what I see in the manual.  I don't mean in terms of game mechanics or storyline, but the extra thought and care that get put into a good manual are impressive to me.

Black Isle/Bioware are excellent at this.  When you opened Icewind Dale or Baldur's Gate 2, you were treated to spiral-bound manuals roughly a full inch in thickness.  Those manuals contained anything and everything you would need to play the game along with a lot of hilarious commentary throughout each.