Tippy, who lives overseas, requested hints on tipping in the USA. This harangue is way off the mark.

Right you are! So, Tippy, here it is:
Tip in restaurants, IF you have received good service, from 15% to 20%. (Ditto a bartender if you sit at a bar for awhile.)
The rest (i.e., hotel maid service, etc., who ARE paid a minimum wage) is entirely up to you, as it should be. However, $1 for a drink to the poor lady (in high heels and a demeaning outfit who walks 1/8 of a mile back and forth to the service area) in Vegas seems very reasonable; shuttle bus driver? see what everyone else is doing. But remember, there's no obligation, it's just standard practice. (Don't get miffed if you stop getting those drinks as often, though!)

Since Tippy posted in Nov. 2002 I assume she has taken her trip.

Thank you for putting what one hopes is the last nail in the coffin.