I was wondering, and you might find it an odd question, but still -- why do we call our students 'clients'?

In other disciplines , for example yoga or martial arts, I find it is more customary to call them "students" or "pupils". This seems to be cross cultural, and cross linguistic.

Anyone has an idea?

noone? :(

Hi Jenny, great question! I'm not sure why this is but I suspect the the term student or pupil is more associated with someone who attends a school or university while a client is more associated with someone who pays for a professional service.

This provoked thoughts I have on terms I use as I reflect on the nature of each relationship that I have as well as the role I'm playing at any given time.

I like Len Palombi's comment about the setting you are in.

I've used various terms for many of my relationships including student/teacher, friend, colleague, co-worker, consultant, service provider, guide, coach, team player, receiver, instructor, follower, leader, tutor, apprentice, mentor, therapist, and I had to come up with the term frientor -- because a special person in my life is a friend AND a mentor.