Body Language of Looking Askance
Cue: Looking Askance.
Synonym(s): Sideways Glance, Sidelong Glance, Glancing Sideways.
Description: Looking askance is a nonverbal cue that is done with the eyes and head in combination. It is done by tilting the head slightly to the side but stopping short of facing head-on. The eyes are then rolled the rest of the way with the face forming a scowl.
In One Sentence: Looking askance is a signal of disapproval.
How To Use it: Mothers, wives and girlfriends can use the signal to show nonverbal aggression and disapproval. If done with eyes and faces that are stern, it will show aggression. Used effectively, the glare will stop conversation or bad behaviour in its tracks. The cue can also be used by men, but it is much more effectively used by women.
Context: General.
Verbal Translation: “You didn’t just say that, you better start backpedaling.” “I heard what you said loud and clear, but I’m not buying what you’re selling.”
Variant: See Eye Rolling or Eye Shrug.
Cue In Action: He was about to grab some more candy from the treat shelf in the pantry. Mom stopped, looked askance at her little boy. He frozen-in-plain-sight, hunched up his shoulders and scuttled away. Not one word needed to be said.
Meaning and/or Motivation: This face shows disapproval, distrust and suspicion. It indicates hostility when accompanied by appropriate cues in a cluster such as a harsh stare and hard eyes.
Alternatively it can spell attraction or interest when it is done so as to avoid detection such as when stealing a look.
This cue is commonly associated with a disapproving mother-type, although this is usually in its exaggerated form. When the gesture happens quickly it is usually disapproval, judgment and questioning as if to suggest that something someone said needs to be taken back because it was judged to be unintelligent or rude.
Cue Cluster: Looking askance is a standalone cue as it speaks volumes. It is generally accompanied by a rigid body tone and fixed gaze.
Body Language Category: Aggressive body language, Anger body language, Dislike (nonverbal), Doubt or disbelief body language, Eye Language, Hostile body language, Microexpressions, Micromessaging, Threat displays.
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