Like most other posters, I always make a point of adapting to local norms. Also like most other posters, I feel most comfortable when in a place where my own cultural norms are adhered to. For me, that means I am less comfortable in the super-tipping culture of the USA. It's certainly not the system I would design, but I get it, and go with it. For that reason, I find the OP's suggestions - which are apparently not based on economic necessity (in which case fine) - somewhat silly.

However, three things really annoy me:

1) Almost unchallenged in this thread is the assertion that a tipping culture breeds better service. To my mind, the opposite is true, it simply encourages ridiculous behaviour. I have had plenty of dinners in the States where every 2 minutes somebody has been asking if everything's okay (I know they have to do this once, so they can say that you had an opportunity to complain), filling water glasses, pouring wine, asking again if everything's okay, fiddling with something, asking again if everything's okay (answer: "yes, fine thank-you", real answer: it would be if you would just leave me in peace to eat!!!). Good service is certainly attentive, but should be more subtle than this.

2) Particularly in touristy-areas, bills coming with print on them explaining that x% is appropriate for good/excellent service. I find that incredibly insulting - it implies that I am either wilfully ignorant of (in-)famous local norms, or that I am aware of them, and would choose to 'stiff'.

3) Waitresses that draw smiley-faces, or write "thank-you" or something on the bill. Again, I know that it is just a different cultural attitude to the relationship, but this very explicit demand for money is one which jars, and I do have to fight the inner reaction not to reduce the tip as a result. As I said at the top, though, I do fight it, because it is the norm...

Still, if there is one positive in this thread, we have managed to go 14 pages without someone repeating the idiotic mangling of the English language that is "Tipping Insures Prompt Service" - proof if any, that ft-ers are a cut above!