If I’m in a red area, and either never get acknowledged or get addressed gender neutrally, do they actually not see me as my agab or are they just entertaining me?

And don't sugar coat it, I want the truth.

The "end" of my transition is passing as a man. I'm more genderless but I'd much rather he/him than they/them. But, I've noticed people in my area seem to avoid gendering me occasionally. Are they actually confused on how to refer to me or do they just see me as a weird masculine womanthey don't want to "offend"? If I was in a more liberal area, I'd just assumed I'd be getting they/themed or addressed neutrally out of "politeness" but still see me as a woman.

But, in a red area, usually boy=short hair.. I'm really short but I have a masculine face and I try to dress like the men in my area. I also have been trying to voice train.. I'm just trying to gauge to see if I'm on the cusp of passing at least

Please don't tell me "passing doesn't matter" you're right, but this is my personal goal. I understand I'm being hard on myself and it borders unhealthy but.. this is what I need to be happy. I'm not trying to say everyone should be like me.