I'm from Canada and I've never traveled to any other country (aside the occasional shopping in the US) and I'm so dead set on coming to Russia for a month.

I only know English and French as a language and I was wondering if I'd have a problem. I've heard about the violence, but is that really how the people of Russia are? Are they violent towards tourists especially? I'm a little too trusting of people and I was wondering if it'd be dangerous for me to go there.
Should I bring someone? Hire a translator when I get there? I don't know.

I just want to know what to expect.

Hello,

just read your post and wanted to reply to your questions. People in Russia generally very rude. They are rude to each other and very friendly to foreigners. They are very aware that people around the world are nice and polite to each other, so they try to follow the trend with foreign visitors. However, they do not have to pretend to be some nice creatures when they see other Russian. It is very ridiculous and annoying.

i guess there are other reasons behind being nice to people from abroad. Russians tend to take advantage of people who do not speak the language and do not know how to get around the city, even country. In Russia, there is no such thing as free service - one has to pay for everything! For instance, if one wishes to purchase an online train ticket, he or she has to know that there will be a fee for such luxury. Moreover, one will pay extra for delivering the tickets, extra for buying them online and extra for not standing in line. You have to tip the delivery guy, of course too.

If you are to go to Russia, you need to know some native who could help you to get around or just bring some extra cash as there is a foreigner fee for every museum and sights places. I'd advise you to go to St Petersburg, maybe Moscow or Sochi which is like Miami on a Black Sea. The prices are high as these are the biggest Russian cities; I'd say it is like in New York.

All the luck to you! Hope this helps!