You misunderstand me - coming from the messed up world of the way restaurant pay works - in that context, it devalues their effort. I don’t agree with it, but outside of this market - for instance when I waited tables in the UK, where I was paid an hourly rate whether I supplemented my income with gratuity or not - it makes no sense to devalue a worker’s right to compensation.

Also consider complaining to the secretary of state perhaps? Idk, it’s not city tax revenue so not likely, but it’s still fraud. But I would definitely consider a chargeback. This is just like in the old days when managers or severs would scribble in a different tip and total on the merchant copy.

Always tip on the subtotal. If your server worked their ass off for your table but you had a coupon for, let’s say, 50% off 2 entrees and a birthday dessert, that’s just devalued their effort by about $50.

Also, the tipping culture is broken, and this is bonkers.

I came from a tipping-optional culture and worked foodservice. If I got good tips, they went back into the bar at the end of the shift, or into my savings jar at home. It was never make-or-break on whether I got to pay rent or not.