Decided to post my comment anyway.
Their is a lot of tip by guilt or intimidation going on from my observation. I tip, begrudgingly, because I know certain folks are relying on tips/subsidies. I'll even adjust my tip/subsidy if I am a situation where the person is counting on a contribution by a group of folks and instead I am the only customer.
Recently, went up to the Karst Stage counter at Bozeman airport and asked if they could take me down to another stop (1 mile away from original dropoff) that was listed as one of their official dropoff points. Got a bit of an attitude, but then was *reminded* that the gratuity was not included in the price of the shuttle fare. Gratuity..tip.. something, I feel should be given for exceptional service. I guess a person getting paid as his /her job to deliver me to my destination safe and sound is now exceptional? Of course not, I am being intimidated into subsidizing their low wage.
In Hawaii recently, I was forced to use the Hotel parking garage and their valet service (can't park your own car). On the customer pickup ticket was the words, "Gratuity not included in the parking rate" of 35 dollars per day. Room service had added 21% Service Charge, then a deliver charge, then a reminder that "Gratuity not included" What? Many many other examples.
Growing up, I never got, nor expected tips. As a young trim carpenter, entrusted to make the inside of customers custom homes beautiful, I never even got a cold or hot drink from a customer. Never thought about it. I was paid lower than average for the work I was doing and just had some personal satisfaction with doing a good job.
It'll continue to be a sore point for many. Some are happy to hand over money and feel good about it. Great service for no other reason than personal satisfaction is very rare, but when it happens, I always make a point to call that out to the person and to management. In my day and even to this day, having some recognize my hard work with a simple thank you and sincere appreciation was all I needed (wasn't even expected).
Now...freakin tip jars everywhere. Everyone wants a piece of the action. Americans have exported this nasty habit to Thailand quite successfully. There is not one place that does not have a tip jar. I'm talking even banks and hospitals. It is ridiculous.
I think the tipping culture won't change and personal economics won't change until the people tipping just get fed up and stop the madness. When that happens, there will be a domino effect. Early adopters will be hated and called cheap.