I was thinking about this after i was playing a little fallout 3/NV. but i found it very easy to RP in those games, as well as a bit better in oblivion, then compared to Skyrim.
After some thought on the subject i decided it was due to the whole Dragonborn thing and the part you play in the MQ, and can be related to Morrowind. even though you can pick or choose any race you want, its fairly obvious (though not solid cannon) that the nerevarine was drow, and the dragonborn is nord.
I also relise you can avoid the MQ if you so choose but you miss out on quite a bit of content by doing so (not able to use any shouts, no dragon weapons or armor other then loot, unable to do dragonborn DLC main quest, etc.

This is all personal opinion, nothing more. I dont expect everyone to feel this way but am curious as to how others feel. i just seem to have difficulty RP in skyrim. . .

walks off into the sunset - Law

Being Dragonborn doesn't have a negative impact on my roleplaying. I roleplay a Dragonborn when it is appropriate to the character. When it is not appropraite to a character I do not do the main quest.

I pretty much ignore the Dragonborn stuff; none of my characters so far are dragonborn. I like to think they are ordinary schlubs who happen to have a talent or two, as well as as desire to live in Skyrim for whatever reason. Some want to simply get rich. Some want to gain access to better spells. None of them are dragonborn, though.

I personally have no desire for scaly beings flying in the skies 24/7, and don't care that I miss on shouts and extra weapon/armor sets. Skyrim is tough enough to survive in as it is, even without dragons flying overhead. Any time I start hearing some 'dragon talk' that seems obviously quest-related, I just back out of the conversation at first opportunity.

Thank yoou.

only if you dont ignore it far as you can be concerned that incident at helgen was a freak occurance.