Sono un cliente abituale — mi conosce già.

I'm a regular customer — you already know me.

Pronunciation

SO-no un klyen-te a-bi-TU-a-le mi ko-NO-she JA

When to use it

Reminding a vendor of your established relationship, often to receive preferential service.

What it means

Being a cliente abituale (regular customer) at an Italian market carries social weight. Vendors remember regulars, save them the best produce, and may offer small extras (il cadeau). Announcing your regularity is acceptable — it is an acknowledgement of a valued relationship, not presumption.

Variations

Vengo qui ogni settimana.

I come here every week.

Establishing the frequency of visits

Sono il marito di Giulia — viene sempre lei.

I'm Giulia's husband — she always comes.

Establishing connection through a known regular

Ho comprato qui per vent'anni.

I've been buying here for twenty years.

Long-term loyalty — commands significant respect

Mini Dialogue

— Sono un cliente abituale — mi conosce già. — Ma certo, signor Bianchi! Come sta? Sua moglie? — Bene, grazie. Ho bisogno dei soliti carciofi. — Glieli ho già messi da parte — sapevo che veniva oggi.

— I'm a regular customer — you already know me. — But of course, Mr Bianchi! How are you? And your wife? — Fine, thank you. I need the usual artichokes. — I've already set them aside for you — I knew you'd come today.

Cultural Note

The relationship between a regular Italian customer and their market vendor can span decades and even generations. It is not uncommon for a vendor to know three generations of the same family. This personal continuity is one of the features of Italian market culture most at risk from supermarket competition.

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Questo era andato a male — posso cambiarlo?

Grazie — buona giornata a lei!

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