On The Riches, they use the term "buffers"...what does it mean?

Answer 1

As the characters are Irish Travellers, "buffer" is Traveller's slang ("Shelta" or "Gammon", a secret "thieves' cant") for "Non-Travellers", "civilians", a corruption of the word "buffoon."

http://gypsypsychic.blogspot.com/2007/03/more-on-buffer-traveller-term-for-non.html

http://marthaoconnor.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html

"Shelta language" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelta

"Choosing not to return to their clan camp, they instead adopt the Riches' identity in suburban Baton Rouge, Louisiana and live as "buffers", as they call mundane, law abiding people."

"The Riches" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Riches

"buffer : non-Traveller (Gammon)"

"English to Shelta", Traveller's Rest : http://www.travellersrest.org/sheltaenglishnocant990418.htm#B