Promptness is important in American business and social settings. The importance of punctuality is taught to young children in school. The use of bell signals to the child that punctuality and time itself are to be respected. People who keep apointments are considered dependable. If people are late to job interviews, apointments or classes, they are often viewed as unreliable and irresponsible. In the business wond, "Time is money" and companies may fine their employees for being late for business meetings. Of course, it is not always possible to be punctual. Social and business etiquette also provides rules for late arrivals. Calling on the telephone if one is going to be more than a few minutes late for appointments is considered polite and is often expected. Keeping a date of a friend waiting beyond ten to twenty minutes is considered rude. On the other hand, arriving thirty minutes late to some parties is acceptable. Respecting deadlines is also important in academic and professional circles. It is expected that deadlines for class assignments or business reports will be met. Students who hand in assignments late may be surprised to find that the professor will lower their grades or even refuse to grade their work. Whether it is a question of arriving on time or of meeting a deadline, people are culturally conditioned to regulate time.