If you're a member of this huge assassination organization and another member asks you this question, it seems like you gotta answer honestly, even if the person asking is the guy you're gonna kill. Is it a breach of honor, courtesy or membership rules to lie?
shareWhen the cop asks John in the first movie if he’s working again, he basically knows who John is and is simply wondering if this is a matter of business and should just let Wick proceed. It’s the same with everybody else who asks John (his fellow hit men would retaliate depending on the situation, of course), albeit anyone can deduce that. But since John is back at it again after having been retired for a while, those asking really are curious.
Now, would members be breaking a rule or dishonoring the code if they answer this question dishonestly? Well, if I’m not mistaking only John is ever asked this. And knowing how much of a badass he is, he’d have no issue being honest. As for other assassins, it’s hard to say if lying would make them pay a price. But I assume they did have to be frank when asked.