gistfile1.py

# example friendship

class UserProflile(models.Model):
    '''
    normal fields
    '''
    friends = models.ManyToManyField(UserProfile, related_name='friends', blank=True, null=True)
    
    '''
    methods
    '''
    def friend_or_follower(self, user):
        user_profile = user.get_profile()
        follow_check = self.friends_set.filter(id=user_profile.id).count()
        flag = None
        if follow_check > 0:
            # self.user is following supplied user_profile = Follower
            flag = 'follower'
            
            # now check to see if the relationship is reciprocated
            friend_check = user_profile.friends_set.filter(id=self.id).count()
            if friend_check > 0:
                # user_profile is following self.user = Friend
                flag = 'friend'
                
        return flag