Just wondering if anyone actually reads the Foreword/Preface or Afterword of scanlated manga/doujin if they're translated.

While it's good practice to translate them, some are so filled with slang or cultural references that it's hard for me to translate properly.

So if no one reads them, then why bother? =)

I never read them ^^;. I guess because when i'm reading the manga i'm very eager to start reading it and don't bother with the author's notes.

It depends on what they're about and how interesting the mangaka is. I particularly appreciate them if the mangaka shares details about the story which will likely never make it into the story - not just horoscope profile details, but more specific background pieces which we wouldn't otherwise know.

Things of a more personal nature, such as the games the mangaka is currently obsessed with or what she did on her last vacation really depend on the topic being discussed and the writing style of the mangaka. If the mangaka is a fun writer and can make the topic enjoyable to read, then I'll read it. But if they aren't all that interesting and I don't like the topic, then I'll skim and skip.

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If you've ever thought or said "Nice Guys finish last" and really meant it, then you should probably read this LJ post by DivaLion. It's incredibly insightful whether you're male or female.

From a bumper sticker I like:
"If you're gonna ride my ass, at least pull my hair."

Hardly.

I skim them, and if there is something that catches my eye, i'll read that sentence, then make a decision whether to read it all or not.

The short ones I read regardless of how boring they are, because they're short and it doesn't take me long to read

If there is information on the characters however, I do actually read them. It helps my understanding and might highlight things I didn't know or notice before.

I read them.

I don't, I find them very annoying sometimes.

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No one gives a shit what trite garbage you write here.

I almost always read them!
I love hearing what they have to say about the manga i just read/ am about to read n_n

Yes. Sometimes, my interpretation of the theme of the story is a little different and I like seeing how they view their work/etc. Sometimes they're funny. If I especially like the mangaka, it's nice to get a sense of what their personality is like.

Some notes are good.. Fullmetal Alchemist, Mushishi..

Sometimes mangaka don't do themselves any favours in them though, like the Kenshin author constantly pointing out rip-offs that you'd never notice normally, (for this one we took Ayanami Rei and gave her different hair) (this one looked too disturbing so we toned him down) (this plot-twist completely buggered the world we had going, but never mind). Im all for being self-depreciating, especially in one of the best manga I'd ever read at the time, but all the 'don't worry kids, it'll end happily...' kinda ruined the suspense.

But then they're always educational, and you've only got to read about one cultural in-joke to notice it next time, so I'd still rather get to read them than not..

Oh I do! I read all the Parfait Tic, I found it adorable to read them.

I always do. ^^ I think it's nice to be able to learn more about the mangaka. The writing style is often familiar and letter-like, so it feels like you're being invited to get to know them better.

I certainly do. Be it an account of the author's travelling (like in Mushishi) or a simple random paragraph about something that happened recently in the author's life (like how Toriyama Akira does), I enjoy reading them.
I especially like the notes where the author talks about his inspiration for the story or where certain characters came from.
Some of the most interesting afterwards in recent memory are by Endo Hiroki, of Eden fame.

I read them all time. I always love to know what's on the author's mind.

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I usually do because they always have a weird or funny picture accompanying it and I'm always wondering how their notes relate to the picture.

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Occasionally, it depends on my mood and if it's interesting or funny.