Customers vs. patrons?

[dina]

Test No. incompl/inter-12 "At the Restaurant", question 7

As they're special ......... of the restaurant, they always get a good table.

(a) partners
(b) customers
(c) patrons
(d) visitors

Test No. incompl/inter-12 "At the Restaurant", answer 7

As they're special patrons of the restaurant, they always get a good table.

Correct answer: (c) patrons

Your answer was: incorrect
As they're special customers of the restaurant, they always get a good table.
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Dear
why the answer not customer

[Alan]

Customers would refer to people in a shop but in a restaurant where the service is more personal, patrons is the best word.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a flat hunter

[topo]

[Alan]

Hi Topo,

Patrons would not only be used in the case of restaurants. It is someone who regularly uses the service offered and could be used for people who always go to a particular shop or use a particular business or firm. Incidentally a patron is also someone who gives financial support to an insitution.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Adverbs