It can be argued either way. It is usually best to identify the issues first, and then take them one by one.
One way to attempt to not lose face that is employed by some, is to change the topic, which is sometimes called a demurrer. For example, person V asks for a single example of support for a statement by person X, and the responder, not being able to provide any proof, changes the subject and asserts that the other party V is a fraud, or paranoid, or dishonest because they edited a private message they had in the distanc past with third party Q.