What is "railroading" to you (as a player)?

[Thomas Shey]

You could always tell them that D&D contains it's own massive host of expectations based on the setting that restrict their choices. They can't play a hacker. Or a truck driver. Or a Klingon. Railroad

They usually seem to have less objections to the starting rest state than they do expectations during play. The example I give (which somewhat relates to what you posted earlier) is that it would be okay to play a game where everyone started out playing law enforcement, but they want to have the right to go rogue at any moment if they think their character would do so (or more cynically, they just felt like it as players). Its the idea that staying within premise should have any weight at all that they seem to object to.

 

[Thomas Shey]

We're getting to the point here where if a door only swings one way it's going to be called railroading. IDK. Puzzles have solutions, sometimes only one solution. If one wants to call that railroading then the term has lost any and all meaning.

I suspect its more a case whether solving the puzzle is the whole point of, or necessary, for the game to continue on. I have to admit I'm not sure I'd call that a railroad, but I'd probably find it tiresome, but then, I'm not a fan of puzzles.