Funny lab story of the day

Seriously, I should write a book of funny lab stories and quotes.  It could make a great xmas gift for all of us science nerds.  Here's today's story...
So the students were asked to calibrate temperature probes before beginning their experiment.  In order to do this, you must use a mercury thermometer alongside your probe (in ice water then in boiling water) so you know what values to enter for your calibration.  Easy enough, right?  Ha ha, not so much.  Students will often leave their thermometers inside the plastic case and don't understand why things aren't working.  Do thermometers really need instructions?  Apparently so.
Anyway, I walked past a group today and they were obviously struggling with calibrating their probe.  I noticed they weren't following the correct procedure on the computer, so they tried again.  Still didn't work.  Then I checked to see if they had the thermometer or probe resting on the sides or bottom of the beaker which can also mess things up.  Then I realized the problem.  I smiled, casually turned their thermometer right side up and walked away.  "Seriously?" one of the girls asked.  "Yep," I said as I quickly left the room so as not to laugh in their faces.  I wanted to ask the same question.  "Seriously?  You don't know which end to stick in the water?"  Hard to believe, but this generation hasn't really had experience with good ol' fashion mercury thermometers.  At least they remembered to take it out of the plastic case!