On Dec 19, 10:52 pm, wrote:

The other, staying VFR with
following and self vectoring to the FAF which will allow me to use the
glideslope information without triggering the set of controller responses
which ensues when I ask for a "practice approach."

You still need to tell the controller your intentions if you want to
be a "good neighbor" that you are not going direct to the airport if
you are not doing a straight in approach.

The controller is expecting you to go direct to the airport VFR, not
putz around IFR fixes. He may have an IFR plane needing that fix and
if you don't tell him, it may mess up his planning stages.

Probably the two most logical options are either squawk, talk and
comply (without compromising safety) or just go without the squawk and
talk part and do your thing.

Allen