Do you tip everyone now?

So I've run up against something that confuses me and that is the trend of constant tipping. Is this something new?

A few years ago I could only name a few places I would tip - restaurants and the barber come to mind. At a hotel I would carry my own bags, and I live in Houston so I'm rarely if ever in a taxi. Lately it seems tip jars have popped up everywhere. Is this new or have I just not seen it?

Coffee shops, ice cream parlors, shuttle services, the porter at the airport, everywhere is a tip jar. The latest place tips have shown up is online on blogs and podcasts. I have occasionally tipped for a good blogpost or podcast but I've always felt it was merit based. The people on the other end are making little or nothing from their posts, they are working hard in many cases, they deserve a tip.

Should people doing their everyday jobs for which they are being paid get a tip? I mean if you need to tip the ice cream lady do you also need to tip the McDonald's cashier? If the ice cream lady why not the McDonald's dude? Am I missing something?

The waitress at a restaurant has her compensation based on the idea that she will get tips, is it the same way with these other services? If I'm paying $2+ for a cup of coffee is the salary for the "Batista" not built into that price? Is scooping ice cream into a cone really a tip worthy service? If so how much?

Its not that I'm uber cheap or anything I just find it confusing.

This week I was shocked to find a tip jar in the shuttle from the hotel. Why? I've never tipped before, have I been rude and inconsiderate? Is tipping expected for these types of services? I'm guessing the hotel employee isn't paying for the gas or the van that has the hotel name stamped on the side.

The other issue, I rarely carry cash so I always find myself sheepishly wondering how to deal with these situations. I mean its only a dollar or two, its not like I mind giving a tip, its just that its unexpected and I'm not quite sure merited.

Am I the only one who asks these questions?