Stereotypes

Today someone asked me, "You people believe in Buddha, right?"
I was so taken aback by the question, that I answered, "Pardon me?" with really raised eyebrows.
He repeated, "Do you believe in Buddha?"
"No."
It was his turn to look surprised.

A couple of weeks ago, someone asked me what I was. It took me a while to realize that he was asking for my nationality. I said I was Canadian and he said, "But you are from China, no?"
"No."
"But, your parents are from China?"
(sigh) "Yes," was my simple answer because I didn't want to have to say then that my dad is from Hong Kong and my mom is from Taiwan.

Why do some people insist that I fit their stereotype just because I'm a visible minority? Do some people expect me to wear my qi pao and ride around in a rickshaw driven by a 12-year-old boy with small slanted eyes and buck teeth?

The whole thing is kind of funny actually. I know these people don't mean to be racist; I know I laugh at certain Chinese stereotypes of myself, especially when it's sent by email as a joke or when delivered by a comedian like Russell Peters, but it's always kind of strange to hear it from someone who is serious about it and truly believes that stereotype.

I wonder what stereotypes I have of others in which I have a deep conviction?

Forgive me.