Originally Posted by
PTravel
It's not a "ludicrous and outdated practice" in the U.S. If you don't want to observe it or, for that matter, other local customs and practices, please don't come as you will be perceived as a boor.
I don't see anywhere that the willingness to tip being a criteria for entry into the United States. There are many residents who don't tip or prefer not to tip but suffer its existence due to an inability to exercise their right not to. If you want to tip so be it but you should not make others feel as if they have to.