The deeply worrying thing about catcalling is that the catcaller must know that their target isnât going to turn around and fall in to their arms pleading âoh dear my please have sex with me here and nowâ. A lot of the time they know that. Often they donât do it for that, someone who shouts ânice titsâ from a van isnât trying to date you. Theyâre trying to humiliate you, reinforce their dominance over you; itâs an exercise of male power. Itâs a way of communicating âI can say and do whatever I want to you, no matter how inappropriate or how uncomfortable it makes you feel, and you canât do anything about it.â Catcalling is not a compliment, itâs a threat.