A woman's guide to properly exiting a vehicle

Contrary to what trashy celebrity gossip magazines would have us believe, it is possible for young ladies to exit a car with a certain amount of decorum. There’s a company called Sheila's Wheels, whose primary aim is to sell insurance to British women, but they've also come up with a plan to preserve feminine dignity and mystique throughout the civilized world.

This trio of ladies known as The Sheilas conducted some research and found that 64% of women polled have been involved in at least one unfortunate incident when getting out of a car, which resulted in the embarrassment of revealing more than they intended. Respondents considered Britney Spears to be the worst celebrity offender, with Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan also perceived as strangers to modesty.

So the services of etiquette expert Jean Broke-Smith were secured to help these poor unfortunates. Here are her seven top tips (imagine them being said in a crisp, school-marmy voice)...

1. Ensure knees are together at all times.

2. Avoid traveling in low-level sports cars when wearing a skirt that ends above the knee.

3. If you have chosen to wear a short skirt, have a pashmina, wrap or scarf with you at all times and drape it over your legs as you exit the car.

4. Try to twist your body as you leave the car -- this will help ensure that your legs remain together.

5. Ask a fellow passenger to give you a helping hand when getting out of the car, allowing you to glide out with ease.

6. If traveling in an SUV, beware of higher seats catching the back of your skirt as you slide out.

7. Try to avoid drinking excess amounts of alcohol when being driven by car, you are likely to lose your inhibitions a little too much.  Be warned!

Sheila’s Wheels has one more thing to add -- practice, practice, practice. Y’know, like singing and acting lessons.

-- Colin Ryan

Photo: AP

Comments

[Caroline]

THIS is how to exit a car:

Keeping your knees together and feet on the floor, pivot on your hips so your knees are now pointing out the door.

Now, keeping hips and knees steady, swing your feet out of the car and onto the ground. This is harder in high heels than in flats! Your heels might catch on the way out. Use your hands to extricate them should this occur.

With your feet now planted outside the car, lean forward and stand. Accept a hand from someone, or use the car's frame as support.

This is well known from the sixties, the previous hey-day of sports cars and mini-skirts.

[jennifer]

AHHAHHHAHHA! I love these tips. thanks!

[Concerned Viewer]

It is said that a photograph is worth a thousand words. So where are the photographs illustrating the improper way for women to exit a vehicle? Surely the best way to learn the proper way is by showing the improper way?

[vochoa0371]

This is just silly...

[Javy]

It's prudes like you that make this world a horrible place to live!

[erin]

alternatively, photographers could refrain from trying to take and sell publicly pictures of women's crotches. just a thought.

[JD Newman]

Well, I live here in the Inland Empire and I never see women wearling dresses like Paris Hilton is shown on the website.

The women here all wear pants, and they "Exit" the car, or pickup truck in the same manner as men.

But thanks for the tips. If we ever see Paris Hilton in San Bernardino, I'll let you know,

[caroline]

Keep your knees together, swivel on your hips to get your knees out of the car. Lift your knees slightly to get your feet out next. Lean forward and push against the door frame. Your feet will hit the ground, and you're out.

[Tony Rodriguez]

Paris you have got to be kidding me! are you that high up that you need to explain to ladies how to land both feet on the ground? you are just to cute you remind me of my 8 year old :)

[Schigolch]

Isn't the whole point of wearing a miniskirt to lose at least some of your inhibitions?