Rarely.
The last time I read the instructions on a new product they read: "Warning: Do Not Try This At Home."
Most things are self explanatory.
Or should be: Do I really need instructions to tell me rod "A" Goes into slot "A"? Rather than say, slot "F"? And if it really does go into slot "F" then the instructions were probably written by the same idiot who can't figure out that "A" goes to "A" and "B" goes to "B". In which case the instructions will do more to confuse than instruct. Probably better to take it back and get a better designed product.
Most things are variants of things you did before.
Usually the next bicycle, rocket ship, or desk, you put together will follow the same pattern as the last one, so even if you had to read the instructions the last time a quick glance at the product itself will give you the information you need this time.
Many instructions are not designed to instruct, they are there to satisfy idiotic legal constraints.
"Only use the glue for its intended purpose."
What? You mean this tube of plastic adhesive wasn't meant to help hold my hamburgers together in a nice round shape?
For instance somewhere on All Deaf you will find instructions on how to behave once you are here. I haven't read them; you probably haven't either. Why? Because you know that no matter how it is worded in the end it will mean: "Respect others and they will respect you." Don't respect others and you will get your computer booted right out of here.
Everybody knows this.
So why bother to bundle it as part of the instructions?
Because if All Deaf didn't post it some rude idiot with an IQ of 2 would sue for having gotten booted out of here "Because no one told me I should NOT be an idiot" and some greedy lawyer with an IQ of 200 would agree with them.
