Maybe I'm wrong about this part.... but I've always felt that the difference between being self-employed and unemployed is mainly attitude and levels of success, so why not go with self-employed? I see this more of presenting valid facts in a framework that agrees with their preconceptions of who should be traveling.

That said, there is a limit to how far things can be stretched. I wouldn't say I'm a lawyer if I was working at jiffy lube. That would be dumb. I'd say I worked as a mechanic.

My main issue with the question is, really, what does it matter? It seems like it's just behavioral detection BS. I do feel like I am treated differently depending on how I answer that question. Answers that reflect "higher class" and are believable seem to receive better treatment -and less questions. That's just my impression.