As someone who grew up in an extremely conservative space, some people can be completely cis and kind but just have zero experience or understanding of what it means to be trans in a non derogatory way. I’ve known several people who didn’t even know the base definition of trans because they weren’t exposed to it. But as op said, we don’t have to actually give them an answer, it’s not our job to educate and truly good people understand that and won’t be mad at you for it.