Being passive and polite while not being available all the time is my go to as well. Only time that doesn't work is family vacation, where I learn shit I'd rather not and it's difficult to keep a straight face.
"Oh yeah, I know you're a small business owner." 
"You bought your first house!? But you're just renting it out and being a landlord?" 
"I see, so you're specifically renting only to your employees so that you're both their boss and landlord." 