Is tipping the worst part of American culture?

One thing that tourists to America struggle with is the tipping culture. It’s not actually tipping, it’s more like expected payment for services in other countries that are paid for by their employer.

The first time I went I was shocked by how many people asked for tips!

Some examples:
I asked a guy in the subway which way the bus section was and he then asked for a tip. Just a random dude!
I left a hotel and went to the cab rank. An employee of the hotel blew a whistle and the cab proceeded forward. He then said to me five times “sir, I got you a cab”. I didn’t need him to get me a cab, but he got a buck to shut up.
I gave a waiter 15% tip on a small bill and he looked like he was going to cry as he counted the chump change.
I went out with a bunch of backpackers to a pub and we had table service. They were told by an American sitting next to us that they needed to tip 20%. They tipped zero. I knew the tax man would have assumed she had made $40 tip so it cost her money to serve us.

What a terrible system! If someone doesn’t want to tip you still get taxed.

And why are taxi drivers getting tips?