It is legal to tip 0 percent. You will get stares, and perhaps open complaints, but it's legal.

As for a list, I don't think it exists. If you are being tipped in any job, the manager can technically reduce your pay. As I said, though, this doesn't come in to play almost anywhere but Waiters and Taxi Cab drivers.

No, you don't pay tax on your tips.  It's really not a bad system, honestly. I wouldn't call it GREAT -- but it's anachronism that doesn't do much harm and allows one to rate service. It is entirely acceptable to tip someone less if you feel they have done a poor job of serving you.

I think it's one of those things that looks weird to those who are unaccostomed to American culture, a bit like driving on the other side of the road. It's just a little quirk. What IS weird, in my opinion, is our obsession with Britney Spears and her ilk.  

i thought tips are taxable?

speaking of the tipping system...
how is it not great? it motivates the servers to provide you better service.

I tip based on a sliding scale of performance. Categories include friendliness, knowledge, bringing the correct amount of silverware and other such items (especially straws), how often they refill your drinks (if applicable), and other such job-related activities. Food preparation is never the waiters' fault, but how the problem is dealt with certainly is. My tips have ranged anywhere from direct complaints to the management resulting in the termination of the employee to a 100% tip. Typically I just round up to the nearest $5 increment, which is usually between 10 and 15%. 15% is the generally accepted standard, but mostly I consider it to be a starting number for an average job.

Edit:  Tipping is not great if the tips go only to the wait staff.  Your kitchen staff often feels slighted, and they actually have reason to make your food worse to lower the wait staff's tips.  Nothing sucks more than waiters (or delivery drivers) bragging about $150 in tips when you just made $40 slaving away.

huh, apparently in canada, tips are taxable, but in the US, it needs to reported but it's tax-exempt.

didn't expect a wikipedia page on this... here goes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tip

I've worked in several restaurants, and without exception every one in the kitchen made more than anyone in the floor staff. None of the cooks or even the dishwashers went home at night thinking "Wow, I wish I got tips too." They were still making more money without them.

I've worked in several restaurants, and without exception every one in the kitchen made more than anyone in the floor staff. None of the cooks or even the dishwashers went home at night thinking "Wow, I wish I got tips too." They were still making more money without them.

15% is the standard.  Good service earns more than 15%, poor service 10% or below if it's extremely poor.

I also feel that it depends greatly upon the price of food.  If I feel I've received good service, I'll tip at least 3 or 4 bucks even if the food was only $10.  In a college town, restaurants are very cheap because college students can't afford to splurge.  Likewise, college waiters could really use the money, so give em a few bucks.

I feel that you can't really understand tipping unless you've worked at a job that takes tips.  I worked as a valet at a really nice steakhouse, busted my ass all night in the cold, and cleared $150 cash a night during the winter.  One extra dollar per customer can make a big difference for people.

@JDWolf36

I completely agree. I live in Northern Canada and rarely tip. I dont know if its the same all over Canada but in the 3 cities i've lived in they do not pay waitresses or cab drivers less than minimum wage. Usually about 1 dollar over minumum wage for waitressing but im not sure the average wage for drivers. I work very hard for my money (most of the time) and honestly feel that they get paid what they deserve for the service they are providing to me. Nothing is forcing a person to be a waitress (where i live anyway there is not a lot of poor immigrants like someone already mentioned). They are free to look for a better paying job, which there are plenty of. Bringing food from point A to point B with a smile does not warrant any extra wages in my opinion. The only times i've tipped waitresses are when they: give free products/samples, correct a mistake with something worth more than the original product, or i personally knew them. Its not common in my area to not leave a tip. Most of my friends and family are embarrased by me when i do it and some even tip extra to make up for my lack of tipping, but i just dont understand the need to.

PS- i used to be a devilery driver for 2 years also, so i know how much someone can make on tips. I felt very overpaid for what little work i did.