Tipping is part of the US culture - whether you like it or not, that's how it is. The pay for servers (you don't call them waitresses unless you in the deep in the heartlands haha) is structured to take into account tips.
Min. wage is like $8 but they get something like $3-4 an hour. IRS factors an expected 12% tip into withheld tax, so when you don't tip or tip poorly you're actually robbing from the server.
That said, going overboard with tipping is not necessary. 15-20% tip on the pre-tax amount is the norm.
It takes living in the US a while to recognize who to tip. You don't tip for counter-service, where you order at a counter. You don't tip for take-away. You tip less at a buffet, 10%. You tip 10% to taxi drivers etc etc the list goes on. There is probably no restaurant that will pre-add a tip (they might suggest amounts on the receipt) unless you bring a large party (6 or more?) and they will tell you upfront.
So far OP is doing well. No need to tip room service, they've already added the tip as he notes (usually a flat $ amount like $2 plus a 18-20% tip). Tip $1 per bag is sufficient.
Min. wage is like $8 but they get something like $3-4 an hour. IRS factors an expected 12% tip into withheld tax, so when you don't tip or tip poorly you're actually robbing from the server.
That said, going overboard with tipping is not necessary. 15-20% tip on the pre-tax amount is the norm.
It takes living in the US a while to recognize who to tip. You don't tip for counter-service, where you order at a counter. You don't tip for take-away. You tip less at a buffet, 10%. You tip 10% to taxi drivers etc etc the list goes on. There is probably no restaurant that will pre-add a tip (they might suggest amounts on the receipt) unless you bring a large party (6 or more?) and they will tell you upfront.
So far OP is doing well. No need to tip room service, they've already added the tip as he notes (usually a flat $ amount like $2 plus a 18-20% tip). Tip $1 per bag is sufficient.