Other unhelpful responses included inadequate or overly forceful restraint by the parent; shaming, threatening, yelling, slapping, lying; or, alternately, pitying, placating, bribing, and helpless parent behaviors.
en.wikipedia.org She originally believed he was simply using her, but later suspects he was pitying her.
en.wikipedia.org Then they would give me a pitying look and emit a snorty laugh.
www.ft.com I get it all the time --the seemingly innocent queries, perplexed, pitying looks, and left-handed compliments.
www.cnn.com