It’s basically bullying like you say. They enjoy the power they hold over a woman to be able to say degrading things about her without consequence.
A friend who gets catcalled often thinks it’s mostly men posturing for other men; they don’t usually do it when they’re alone.
I don’t think you realize they don’t care and don’t have that social respect normal people have.
When I see people out exercising I often get the urge to yell that they are doing a good job or looking great if I see them working hard. But I never do.
I’m a cis man, so maybe take this with a grain of salt, but if I get encourement from a random person like this, I absolutely kick my effort up a notch and remember it for months-years.
I’d like think people might be able to tell the difference between “keep it up” or “you’re doing great” and a full on catcall, but I’ve never been catcalled so… ¯\(ツ)/¯
