Rather experience. Using multiple desktops with different users is absolutely fine, but how many people do that? Using multiple desktops with a single user can cause problems. Note I said can, not will. Some can co-exist just fine, but others use the same configuration file names for some things leading to overridden settings when you switch. Also you get multiple applications, like text editors, file managers etc. That could just be my peeve though.
Seriously? This is a very simplistic but very recent occurence I had. I logged into KDE (my default DE), but then tried to answer a question about Cosmic (my backup DE in single installation, which should share nothing), logged out, and into Cosmic. I checked whatever I wanted to check, and logged out again. Tried to get back into KDE and all hell broke loose 
I had to reboot.
This isn’t quite like the OP situation, but it does show there are interactions.
I obviously didn’t post about it on the forum and ask for help. If you are doing things like this, you should know enough to help yourself (imo).
DEs can start services which stay alive when you log out. In that case a reboot is mandatory. I would not recommend going back and forth between DEs without reboot.
My statements are all about parallel installation of different DEs. And that is possible without issue.
This is what I said:
Yes, I do realize that…but I also point out that this sort of thing is what causes perceived problems. And yes, files lying on the disk typically don’t cause problems unless you run them 
I think your view is too technically correct and not taking into account people.
Is it not the goal to try to ensure people have the smoothest experience and not blame Linux (or their DE) for being ‘unstable’?
Then why not just use the existing home directory?
This is what I always did. I was just giving you a super save recommendation with a new home directory. But according to my experience and to the debian and fedora documentation this is not needed. See the links I have shared
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Brilliant, thanks.
You have at least two DE installed in parallel: KDE and cosmic. So here we go. debian and fedora even officially support parallel installation. My experience supports that as well. Parallel installation is not an issue. Advising users otherwise is FUD.
The correct statement should be: You can install multiple DEs in parallel. But you should only use one DE for a given user account to avoid issues. Don’t switch back and forth.
Yes, admittedly, this is a ‘do as I say, not what I do’. The difference is, I know why and the risks involved. Most people don’t..and will assume it’s all flaky and a joke. Why don’t they go back to Windows, it doesn’t flake out NEARLY as much as that Linux stuff?
So..that’s why I think it should be discouraged.
Just to wrap up and close this issue.
I installed XFCE without a hitch. When, after rebooting, I logged into it the scaling/font size was very small, but I manage to correct that. Cinnamon does it well OOTB.
Nevertheless, it will take a few hours of work to make the amendments necessary to have it the way I want to. @UncleSpellbinder comment
may be a bit over the top, though it is an assessment is forced to make post-installation of another DE.
I would like to thank @mbod, @Transitman50, @UncleSpellbinder, @dbarronoss, and @mardi for their input and support.
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Yes, i’m with Uncle, but it’s a learning experience, eh?
Yes they are.