There's no tipping in any context? Not just in restaurants, but also for taxis, hotels, etc?
It's not a purely American thing, though, no. It's not even a purely North American thing. I'm not sure, but I think I may have seen it in at least historical British novels, and at least a similar idea in Eastern lands; it's also a modern concept in Israel for sure, primarily in restaurants. I think possibly also in taxis, though I could be wrong. It could potentially have migrated to Israel from America, of course; not really my area of knowledge.
At any rate: tipping exists outside of the US (and outside of Canada, where it is also very, very much a thing), and it's interesting that it isn't a thing in Japan. I wonder why.
~Z
PS: Also, belatedly, welcome! I remember your screen name from before. Have a Welcome Gift of some Swiss Bleepolate, shaped like coins for irony :P