I think the whistles and catcalls are for fun, unless she reacts favorably, in which case it is for real. But nobody, and I mean nobody, has the right to say that others cannot speak around them. She has the right not to be touched, but people have the right to speak to her if they want, out in public. She can then choose to ignore or respond. And, in no way, is the concept of “hi” as a violation of rights old-fashioned or a remnant of some past utopia of freedom. That is a completely new, oppressive concept brought to you by the same people who invented political correctness.
Of course, you are correct. Perhaps I have been unclear (it wouldn't be the first time).
I'm not talking about legal or civil rights here. I'm talking about standards of civilized behavior. A person in public has the right (reasonable expectation) to assume that others will treat him/her in a civilized manner.
And when that doesn't happen, the offender should be criticized for it, and such behavior should be condemned.
A friend of mine once told me that I'm in the wrong century. He might be right.