Well, it's a superstition, but a pretty common one. St. Joseph is the patron of widows and orphans, clergy, a good death, workers - you name it. However, St. Joseph is very powerful, and the phrase "ite ad Iosephum"("Go to Joseph") is pretty well known in Catholic circles.
Tell you friend to pray to St. Joseph for this and also to lead him to the Christ Child, which is another thing that St. Joseph does very well!
Thanks...any clue as to why "upside down?"