It doesn't matter what country you're from, there are going to be some really silly stereotypes that outsiders are going to believe about you. Americans are “gun-waving patriots,” Australians “live in the wild eating Vegemite” and Brits “exist solely on tea, crumpets and snootiness” are three examples of completely accurate stereotypes.

The one stereotype people seem to get wrong is about us Canadians. I wanted to squash these crazy myths once and for all and educate the world on how we Canadians are just peaceful Don Cherry-loving folk.

Myth: Canada is a frozen wasteland
Here in Canada we have a variety of seasons that show off the beauty of nature while offering many fun activities: Winter, Still Winter, Almost Winter, and Construction. During Construction season it gets up to almost 10°C, with the whole country loading up to suntan on top of icebergs.

Myth: Everyone is nice
Have you ever been in a Canadian standoff? Those things can last for hours and get pretty testy when you're holding the door for a person and there trying to hold it for you. Those are the angriest “After you, my friend's and “Please, I insist's you'll ever hear.

Myth: We ride moose and polar bears to work
Come on, people, do you actually believe this? The moose and polar bear are luxury vehicles, like the Porsche and the Ferrari. Maybe if you own a Labatt Brewery or are the King of Newfoundland, you can afford to ride around in comfort, but the rest of us regular Joes working down at the maple syrup factory have to catch the dogsled transit to work every day. We're damn lucky to even have that.

Myth: We live in igloos
I wouldn't call it an igloo, I would use the term, “snow-based living quarters.” Snowbased living quarters are the easiest way to keep out of the cold while keeping wild polar bears from stealing your Margaret Atwood novels.

A cozy bedroom/living room/bathroom/ kitchen all in one area makes it simple for those who want all the luxury of living in a mansion without all the hassle of going into different rooms to do things. You can cook dinner and watch the hockey game while sitting on your snow toilet. If that isn't living, I don't know what is.

Myth: We live on a steady diet of Kraft Dinner, syrup and poutine
Our diet is a little more refined than just those three common treats. We expand our palates by going out to eat at the fanciest restaurant in all of Canada: Tim Hortons. Have you ever had a chili bowl? The bowl is made of bread! Try to eat a soup bowl at your restaurant, Mr. Fancy Pants, and you'll end up with a mouth full of ceramic.

Myth: Our Currency is Monopoly money
Our money is more like collectible trading cards. The top hobby among Canadian youth is buying and trading currency, trying to collect all the Queen Elizabeths and holographic Sir Robert Bordens. Keep dreaming, kids, maybe one day you'll find a mint condition John A. Macdonald and be able to move out of the frozen tundra to the big city.
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