Here in WA state, the minimum wage per hour is $15.74 (higher in some areas). Tipping culture says 20%, but that’s generally to support lower paid waitstaff in areas that can pay less than minimum wage by employers. Where/What are you tipping and what kind of service would you expect for a 20% tip?
I live in the UK so tipping thankfully isn’t a thing here as we have minimum wage. I will tip if I’m at a restaurant with a group of people but otherwise I won’t tip at all. Hospitality workers deserve to be paid more but it’s not up to the customers to supplement a dodgy business. I am in a union and will always vote for parties who advocate for employment rights though.
Tipping is very much a cultural thing and I think it’s not wise to treat it like it’s the same everywhere. In the US it sounds like it’s a necessary evil and if I were to visit I would comply, but it’s not the same as in other countries.