Good question Bear. I try to look at all the steps in a pattern before starting, because I hate huge bumps where seams meet. I want to know which way the pattern says to press the seams and if it is be best way to avoid those bumps. I do not like patterns that give minimal or no pressing directions.
I just finished a 7 day Mini Mystery from our guild. Because of other commitments, I didn't even look at the directions until Day 4--and then remembered why I absolutely HATE mystery patterns. The pattern called for a focus fabric, three shades of one colour and 4 shades of another, that were in the focus fabric. It did not mention that the end result would be on the diagonal--which looks really awful if your focus fabric is directional. After looking at the picture of the final product, I weighed my options, found a very finite amount of a non directional focus fabric and two complimentary colours. I simplified the directions and finished the mystery--on my terms.
The only reason I even bothered, was because we have a new president and I wanted to support her efforts to drag our guild towards more energetic endeavors.