So how does tipping work in the USA?!

So how does tipping work in the USA?

Is it compulsary? How much do you have to tip? Does it mean that the goods and services are priced lower to compensate for the cost of tipping? Do staff recieve lower pay as a consequence? And what happens if you don't tip...obviously its bad ettiquete...but can they hunt you down? Hehehe

I'm Australian and we don't have to tip here. Thanks.

3 days ago
Wait staff in Western Australia earn from $16 per hour to $20 per hour dependent on penalty rates (weekends they earn more as with after 7pm and before 7am and double rate on public holidays) people rarely tip here because they earn so well.

Compulsory: Not usually. There are a few places that automatically add a tip to the bill, but not many.

How much: 15% is the low end of reasonable. It is generally best to tip based on quality of service, in my mind. And, unfortunately, many people here don't tip at all or tip very little.

Lower prices: NOOO. Restaurants are soo expensive.

Staff pay: Very, very low pay. Waiters usually make $2.15 per hour in my state. That is $3.60 less than minimum wage!

No tipping: Generally, nothing happens. The people at the surrounding tables (if they notice or aren't jerks) will give you dirty looks, and the waiters will know to look out for you to come in again--and probably spit in your food haha.