I have no problem with using 'customer' in this context, though I would use 'consumer' rather than 'customer'. But the concept is, processes have inputs and outputs, which could be conceptualized as vendors and consumers or customers ... Can't see myself getting 'peeved' about this type of word usage personally ...

Happened to see this the other day:
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs...cid=autos_5307

The table/chart further down the page (Vehicle Dependability Study) shows that Lexus is way ahead in terms of dependability, and I know they've been in that top position for a long time. Surprised to see MBZ and Cadillac in #2, 3 spots but good for them. Acura, at #4, has been in the top 10 for many years if not decades, as has Honda (currently #6). Ford are showing below industry average at #18.

I'm generally shocked to see even three American cars in the top 10 - Cadillac, Buick, Lincoln. But if they can stay there, year after year, then perceptions could change.

I know that European cars are supposed to be 'fun to drive', and American cars are generally better 'value', but taking a car in for service (or even worse, breaking down) is no fun so I'm sticking with the Honda/Acura/Lexus/Toyota brands for the foreseeable future.

I'm not asking you (or anyone else) to be 'peeved' by it, I wasn't aware that was the point of this thread.

It peeves me because it is simply incorrect use of the word. As is 'consumer'.

Let's go through it, humour me.
We're both working for the same company in different parts of the building. I build a product and pass it to you to check for quality.
You are not my 'customer'.
I believe (haven't checked) that the definition of 'customer' is a person/company that purchases a product or service.

I guess it peeved me mostly because the gf got a 'customer' complaint (serious in her company) at work from another department. Simply because someone signed off some work while she was on holiday.

That reminds me of another peeve.
My bloody spellchecker telling me that I need to remove the letter 'u' from words and trying to make me replace the 's' with a 'z' in others.

As if my typing's not bad enough already.

Maybe they should be "co-worker"....which is one of my pet peeves....don't know why, but that term is like nails on a blackboard to me.

I've got news for you: the Oxford dictionary leans towards "ize" being correct/ preferred in most cases. .
Me too, and I am trying to retrain myself to go back to using "colleague" as it is used in the US, and seems to be universally understood.

Look how far Pet Peeves has been going...aren't the peeves being recycled now?

"Recycled peeves". I hate that!

If you had a job in a US company where you were responsible for communications with outside customers, vendors, etc in the US, then do you think it's appropriate to use the UK spelling of words?

Don't you mean, 'Previously Loved Peeves', or perhaps 'Gently Used Peeves'?

And how exactly is that relevant to anything I've said so far?

I'll point out some errors in your attempt to make your point.

I'm not in the US.
I don't have a job in the US.
I communicate with lots of American customers of my own perfectly well using the Queen's English, none of them have a problem with that, nor do the many Americans I speak to every day.
So as I'm in the UK should I demand that every American I speak to use the UK spelling of every word?

And the point you seem to have dis-regarded... I mentioned it being my spellchecker doing this that 'peeved' me. So hardly relevant to your scenario.

Ah I'm not saying one is more correct than the other.. just that I spell it one way which is correct and that's how I want it when I type it. I don't want a spellchecker telling me I'm wrong about it.

I actually know about the origins as me and the gf have had a good 'debate' about it when she thought I was being old-fashioned (using the 's'), I told her to get with the times

All you need to do to sort that is to set the spell checker to UK English, and not US English, simples..

OK so show me how simple it is then please.

Bear in mind that this isn't on my own programmes etc.. it's interweb stuff.

By the time it comes around a second time it may no longer be a mere pet peeve!