well i wouldn't say things are any different from after angel leaves risk wise because buffy has never been with anyone with out having to have it out first

she dated Spike...thats a risk!

Basically the whole point of Riley was to be with the "safe", normal guy. Spike was of course a risk, but immediately after Angel, yes I think she did play it safe.

I agree with kitkat :)

Buffy closed her self off emotionally and tried to deny her feelings for other people because he damaged her so much. Riley was playing it safe, and so was Parker. She didn't love them, and I don't think she had much feelings for them beyond friendship. With Spike, she did admit to having feelings for him, and I think that's why she took the risk.

She played it safe, hooked up with guys she knew weren't a risk, Riley was safe. He was normal. She could beat him in a fight and she never opened up to let him hurt her heart. With Spike she didn't even begin to start to open up until seven.

I'm going with sometimes, because Riley was a good guy and she didn't really take a risk with him, not like she did with Angel&Spike lol :]

I think because she's the slayer its a risk to date anyone in general, if she didn't take any risks then she wouldn't have had any relationships just flings.

That was the entire story-line with the end of her relationship with Riley. She was holding back emotionally, not taking risks, and that made him feel inferior.