Business Nomenclature

July 26, 2015 12:39 PM

I'm writing several form letters targeting different types of business and would like to use the proper terms with each type. For example, lawyers have clients at their practice. Theaters have patrons at their venue. Doctors have patients at their clinic (or practice). Stores have customers at their business. What are some other examples I could prepare?

Also are there more common terms I should be using? This is for a followup email to storefront businesses I have visited.

posted by Sophont to Writing & Language (12 answers total)

Gyms and other clubs have members.
posted by metahawk at 12:52 PM on July 26, 2015

Hotels have guests.
posted by mochapickle at 12:53 PM on July 26, 2015

Restaurants can go either way; some people prefer 'customers' while others prefer 'guests.' (I prefer the latter). I feel like, in a really broad sense, the higher up the food chain you go the more likely you are to use 'guest.'
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 1:28 PM on July 26, 2015

Museums have visitors. Libraries have patrons. Archives have visitors or researchers.
posted by rabbitbookworm at 1:33 PM on July 26, 2015

I work in government, and all the people are now "customers" instead of citizens. I disagree, but it's happening at local and state levels here in NSW, at least.

People participating in programs for those with intellectual disabilities are now called "consumers". This is in both NSW and California; I have several family members working (and several participating) in the field.
posted by jrobin276 at 1:53 PM on July 26, 2015

Transportation vehicles have passengers
posted by troytroy at 2:14 PM on July 26, 2015

While libraries generally have patrons, some libraries also have clients, customers or visitors.
posted by box at 3:47 PM on July 26, 2015

Colleges and various kinds of schools have students.
Apartment buildings and senior communities have residents.
posted by mochapickle at 3:47 PM on July 26, 2015

Sporting events have fans.

Concerts have attendees, and an audience.
posted by alms at 5:28 PM on July 26, 2015

Mental health counselors have clients.
posted by melesana at 10:24 PM on July 26, 2015

Researchers have subjects in their labs. Or specimens [non-human] in the field.
posted by tamarack and fireweed at 9:53 PM on July 28, 2015

Note that in BrE, primary and secondary schools have pupils, not students.
posted by tamarack and fireweed at 9:54 PM on July 28, 2015