For those who do Role-Play (which is subjective due to different people's different definitions), to what extent do you do so?

By this I mean;
Do you set up a bunch of Restricitions along with the back-story that completely prevent you from doing certain things or taking certain quests?

OR

Come up with VAGUE guidelines that have more to do with your character's personality and how they might react to certain situations etc.


I myself have tried it both ways, and although I really like some of the ideas behind the FORMER way (hardcoe restrictions), I often end
up feeling too much like I am PRETENDING (kidding myself) which actually takes away from my immersion and enjoyment.

I personally find that (for me anyways) it works better to simply vaguely describe what the character is like, and then let them react to whatever quests & situations they come across ORGANICALLY (and not power-level). Even if some things/mechanics of the game are slightly broken/unbalanced, I find myself more immersed when I am not Denying anything in the core game (pretending something doesn't exist/ does exist that clearly doesn't)

Anyways, I know this is a totally subjective topic - and there will probably be people arguing about what DEFINES role-playing and all that - but I just
wanted to hear about some of your guys' different approaches and techniques in regards to this.

And I'm sorry if my points aren't clear enough. Feel free to ask away.